Appointment of the panel for appointment of Public Service Commissioner

Public Service and Administration

05 February 2014
Chairperson: Ms JC Moloi-Moropa (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Chairperson outlined that the main purpose of this meeting was to nominate members to serve on the panel that would be holding the interviews and making recommendations on the nomination of a person to fill the vacancy, caused by the death of a commissioner, on the Public Service Commission (PSC). This Committee had done this process twice before, with success, having managed to appoint a credible and strong Commission, and she hoped the same cooperative and excellent stance would be shown in this round also. The DA nominated Mr du Toit (who, however, asked to serve as an alternate for the moment, whilst the ANC nominated the Chairperson, Ms Mohale, Mr Nyekemba and Mr Williams. The smaller parties, not represented at the meeting, would be asked to submit their nominations, and packs would be circulated to the panel, in preparation for the short listing process on 14 February and interviews on 25 and 26 February.

The Chairperson noted that she had held a fruitful meeting with Judge Ngcobo on remuneration in the public service, and would brief the Committee. Discussing the Committee programme, it was noted that the other major tasks facing the Committee would include joint meetings with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the question of access to schools for disabled children, and the consideration of the Public Administration and Management Bill in March.
 

Meeting report

Chairperson’s opening remarks
The Chairperson noted that Ms Pat Jayiya would be assisting as Acting Committee Secretary.

The Chairperson wanted to brief the Committee on a very critical meeting that was requested by and took place with former Chief Justice, Judge Ngcobo. He wanted to give a detailed briefing on the work he had been given in pursuance of the State of the Nation Address. The reason for meeting the Chairperson was that many of the matters related to the work of this Committee, over which the Committee did oversight, and the subject of the briefing was on remuneration in the public service. She reported that it was a good and fruitful meeting and she hoped the country would be able to handle matters through credible people who understood and were able to deal with gaps where they existed. She noted that this would be a long process, but the Committee would be involved and she had drawn a draft programme. She would circulate notes, and said that the issues covered the whole of the public service, particularly the police and teachers, both of which were matters of interest to the Committee. She had indicated that, wherever possible and needed, this Committee was prepared to assist and collaborate.  

She noted that the State of the Nation Address would take place in the following week. She noted that most Members of this Committee were attending oversight visits, with other committees. However, there was no need for a quorum today.

Appointment of Public Service Commissioner: appointment of panel
The Chairperson noted that, constitutionally, the Committee had a responsibility to appoint the five national commissioners to the Public Service Commission (PSC). It had had good experiences in doing this over the last years, having dealt with this process twice. The Committee had firstly appointed two commissioners, learning quite a lot in the process. She reminded Members that it was usual for the Committee to appoint panelists, who would hold the interviews and report back on them to the Committee, who would in turn make recommendations to the National Assembly. There was a good working relationship, particularly with parties across board. It was important to carry the responsibility of a task of National Importance with dignity.

She added that the nine Provincial Commissioners were appointed by the premiers in their respective provinces.

The Committee had been very proud of the Commissioners who were appointed but regrettably one of them, Ms Motsemela, had passed away, leaving a vacancy. The other commissioner appointed in that year was currently chairing the PSC. Three commissioners had been appointed last year, after a tight contest, and she was pleased to say that all serving on the panel were credible and highly competent. She noted that one of the Members of this Committee, Ms M Mohale, had served on that panel and would be able to report that there had been an interesting engagement with those who were interviewed. The Chairperson had particularly appreciated the synergy shown by all parties on the panel, who had reached absolute agreement on the three people whom they felt were best qualified. She was giving the background to indicate that the Committee was capable of doing the same again. They had managed to appoint a credible PSC with good stature.

The Chairperson hoped that in the current round, she hoped that there would be equally good applications from those qualified to do the job. The interviews were likely to end up as interesting engagements, not interrogations.

Members had been asked to consult with their parties, who were to select representatives to serve on the panel.

Mr S Marais nominated N Mr du Toit (DA), and he asked in turn if he could rather be elected as an alternate at this point, except until the interviews started.  This was accepted.

Ms M Mohale (ANC) noted that the ANC wished to nominate the Chairperson, herself, Mr E Nyekemba and Mr A Williams. All were Members known to the Committee.

The Chairperson noted that for the moment there were no representatives from the smaller parties. She requested the Committee Secretariat and Content Adviser to consult with them to get the nomination.

At their next meeting the panel would be considering the pack, which would be circulated to them in advance, and attend to the short-listing. She noted that the panel would report back to the Committee.

Committee Programme
The Chairperson noted the proposed Committee programme but said it was not final. There were two major issues to deal with, - the first was the appointment of the PSC Commissioner, and the short-listing was proposed for 14 February. The interview dates were planned for 25 and 26 February.

On 19 February it was intended to hold a joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee for Basic Education, which should also be attended by the Ministers of Basic Education, and of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, who should brief the committees on access to schools for children with disabilities and the main obstacles. She noted that oversight would have been done at the schools by then. She noted that parents of children with disabilities found it hard to place their children in suitable schools, and this Committee needed to make interventions, and its oversight responsibility required that it take a strong stance to ensure that government would make the necessary arrangements.

In March the Committee would consider the Public Administration and Management Bill, because the NCOP should have finished with it by then. It was intended, in the meantime, to coordinate with the Chairperson of the Select Committee, because the advertisement for public hearings would otherwise take too long, were it to be placed only after the NCOP had finished the process, but the Committee could only advertise once the Bill was presented to it.

Mr Marais asked if the Committee was still intended to hold public hearings.

The Chairperson said this was the intention, and, assuming these could be held around the middle of March, it could be possible to adopt the Bill in the Committee on 19 March, prior to Parliament rising in the third week of March.

The meeting was adjourned.
 

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