Speaker, Ministers and hon members, Parliament is obliged, in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 and the Public Service Commission Act, Act 46 of 1997, to recommend candidates for appointment as national Public Service Commissioners. The request from the Presidency to fill two vacancies of the national Public Service Commission was referred on 18 March 2011 to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration for consideration and report, and it was done by the Speaker.
Subsequently, a request to fill an additional vacancy was sent to the committee on 8 April 2011. In total, three vacancies were to be filled. The portfolio committee appointed a multiparty subcommittee to conduct the shortlisting and the interviews of applicants. The subcommittee consisted of the following members from their respective parties: Mrs J C Moloi- Moropa, hon L Suka, hon Mohale and hon Gaum from the ANC; hon Van Schalkwyk from the DA; and, lastly, hon C T Msimang from the IFP.
The applications of 227 applicants were received, 12 candidates were shortlisted, only one candidate withdrew and 11 candidates went through the interviews. I must indicate that those who were shortlisted were highly capable candidates. I will not take the House through those people who were shortlisted, but I need to indicate that due consideration was given to candidates with local government experience, qualifications, gender, age, knowledge of the public service and the Public Service Commission itself.
The subcommittee reported back to the portfolio committee on the outcomes of the interviews on 15 June 2011. After the consideration of the subcommittee's report, the portfolio committee recommended the following candidates for nomination as commissioners on the national Public Service Commission to this House, Adv R K Sizani, Mrs C Nzimande and Mrs R Issel. In the event that these candidates are not available to serve on the national Public Service Commission, the committee recommended that Mrs L Sizani and Mr G Mokate be considered for appointment.
I want to take this opportunity to appreciate and thank all those who were part of the subcommittee. They worked very hard and diligently, without complaining, to make sure that we proceed and do the best for this Parliament, in terms of appointing commissioners to the Public Service Commissioners. Thank you.
There was no debate.
Question put: That the House approves the nomination of Adv R K Sizani, Ms C Nzimande and Mrs R Issel to fill the positions of commissioners on the Public Service Commission and the approval of Mrs L Sizani and Mr G Mokate as supplementary nominations.
Question agreed to.