Vier uit elke vyf staatsamptenare wat ernstige klagtes soos korrupsie en bedrog in die gesig staar, met aanbevelings dat hulle die gevolge moet dra, word nie gedissiplineer nie. Die Spesiale Ondersoekeenheid van Willie Hofmeyr beveel byvoorbeeld aan dat stappe gedoen moet word teen 24 000 amptenare. Stappe is gedoen, ja, teen 4 000. Hofmeyr merk op dat dissiplinre prosesse 'n groot swakpunt van die regering is. Die regering spandeer miljoene om wangedrag te ondersoek, maar waar is die aksie? [Gelag.]
Die laaste twee punte van ernstige kommer in die begroting is die Staatsdienskommissie. Dit is 'n grondwetlike instelling wat vereis dat hy onpartydig en onafhanklik moet wees, en sy werk moet doen sonder vrees of voordeel. Daarom het dit nog altyd sy eie begrotingspos gehad. Nou verskyn dit skielik onder die departement se begroting as synde 'n program van die departement. Hierdie ontwikkeling skend die onafhanklikheid van die instelling en is 'n stap in die verkeerde rigting.
Tweedens, baie is reeds ges oor die enkelstaatsdiens, vandag weer, maar tans is daar geen wetsvoorstelle op die tafel nie. Tog, in program 3 van hierdie begrotingspos is daar voorsiening vir die instel van 'n enkelstaatsdiens. Hoe durf die departement begroot vir iets wat nie bestaan nie? Mevrou die Voorsitter, ek vat saam. Die DA glo aan 'n doeltreffende Staatsdiens met professionele amptenare, aangestel op verdienste, waar Ministers en direkteurs-generaal prestasie-ooreenkomste teken en oortreders gedissiplineer word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Ms A M DREYER: Four out of five public servants faced with serious charges such as corruption, with recommendations that they should face the consequences, are not disciplined. The Special Investigating Unit of Willie Hofmeyr has, for instance, recommended that steps be taken against 24 000 officials. Steps were taken, yes, against 4 000. Hofmeyr has remarked that disciplinary processes represent a major weakness of the government. The government is spending millions on the investigation of misconduct, but where is the action? [Laughter.]
The final two points of concern in the budget involve the Public Service Commission. This is a constitutional institution, which requires it to be nonpartisan and independent, to do its work without fear or favour. That is why it has always had its own Budget Vote. Now it suddenly appears under the department's budget as if it were a programme of the department. This development violates the independence of this institution and is a step in the wrong direction.
Secondly, a lot has been said about a single Public Service, today again, but at present there are no legislative proposals on the table. And yet, in Programme 3 of this Budget Vote, there is provision for the introduction of a single Public Service. How dare the department budget for something that does not even exist?
Madam Chairperson, I will summarise. The DA believes in an effective Public Service with professional officials, appointed on merit, where Ministers and directors-general sign performance agreements and transgressors are disciplined.]