The New South Institute (NSI) celebrates the passage of the Public Service Amendment Bill, marking a considerable achievement in the governance of South Africa. The National Assembly, on February 27, 2024, approved the bill during a hybrid plenary session, signaling a key advancement in the professionalization and modernization of the public service sector.

As a long-standing proponent for the enhancement of civil service, the NSI has advocated for pivotal reforms to curtail political influence in government appointments and operational decisions. Ivor Chipkin, NSI Director and leader of the Public Service Reform programme, acknowledges this event as a major stride in fortifying a more accountable and effective public service.

The Pursuit of Governance Reform

Concern was raised when the bill was temporarily set aside from the parliamentary agenda. Nevertheless, its reintroduction and the subsequent approval illustrate the government’s resolve to confront the prevailing issues within the public service.

The NSI has persistently called for the amendment of Section 3 of the Public Service Act. The specific amendments sought to address the over-concentration of power granted to Ministers, MECs, and the President regarding appointments and operational decisions, which fostered conflicts and confusion within government structures, weakening governance. The Public Service Amendment Bill is seen as a crucial step in correcting these problems, shifting powers to senior officials, thus fostering professionalism in the public service.

Key aspects of the bill include the delegation of administrative powers to department heads and the introduction of procedures for resolving grievances. The Bill, alongside the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill and the Statistics Amendment Bill, will now proceed to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Delani Majola (Communications Manager)
+27 78 547 4981
+2 710 157 2037/ Ext 104
delanim@nsi.org.za