PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION BILL: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTION A ‘SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE’ – MINISTER

Public Service & Administration Minister Inkosi Buthelezi is confident that – once passed by both Houses, enacted and operationalised – the Public Service Commission Bill will strengthen the role of the Commission. This is noting provisions:

  • ‘affirming its independence as a vital constitutional safeguard for promoting an ethical value system and good governance’, and
  • intended to improve the efficiency and impact of its work in building ‘a capable, ethical and developmental state’ where accountability is the norm.

Presenting his department’s 2025/26 budget vote in the National Assembly, the Minister applauded members for passing the Bill – a move he described as ‘a significant milestone’ in its passage through Parliament. Tabled in October 2023, the Bill was left in limbo, although the National Assembly committee concerned was briefed on its proposals. Having lapsed when Parliament rose for the May 2024 elections, it was eventually revived and processed by the new committee, which in March 2025 submitted a ‘B’ version to the House for adoption. The Bill is now before the NCOP Committee on Co-operative Governance & Public Administration.

The Minister used the opportunity to draw attention to key elements of the proposed new piece of legislation, which:

  • provides for the establishment of Commission secretariat (in the Minister’s view, enabling the institution ‘to function as an independent and impartial constitutional body’)
  • seeks to make it mandatory for each sphere of government and public entities to act on recommendations issued by the Commission following investigations, and
  • provides for commissioner appointment procedures, thus regulating the process with the aim of ensuring that appointees are ‘fit for purpose’, competent and adhere to ‘the highest levels of integrity’.

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Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

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