(Sub-Committee) Public Service Commissioner vacancy: interviews day 1

Meeting report

The meeting commenced with preparations for the interview process where Members chose the interview questions they would ask from a prepared list.

The nine candidates were interviewed one after the other and were all asked the same questions.
•  Dr Hilton Fisher
•  Ms Zukiswa Mgolomba
•  Ms Nalini Maharaj
•  Dr Somadoda Fikeni (please find interview transcript attached)
•  Ms Mpho Mosing
•  Mr Kaelo Maropefela
•  Mr Bafo Thomas Khanyeza
•  Ms Stella Martha Mabitsela
•  Dr Elsie Pulane Molokwane

Refer to the audio recording for each candidate's response to the interview questions:

The Chairperson asked the candidate to briefly confirm the information contained in the CV bearing in mind that Members had a copy of it before them.

Question One
The Chairperson said the Public Service Commission has a constitutional mandate to promote the values and principles of Section 195 of the Constitution. He asked the candidate to briefly explain the functions of the Public Service Commission and the values and principles governing public administration.

Question Two
Ms R Lesoma (ANC) said the Committee assumes that the candidate had taken the time to read Chapter 10 of the Constitution. The Public Service Commission functions to promote the values and principles governing public administration and to give directions in ensuring personnel procedures comply with these principles. She asked the candidate to explain if the Public Service Commission was making an impact on the public service. How could the Public Service Commission reposition itself to make a wider impact given its mandate. Considering the Constitution, does the candidate think that the spouse and children of political representatives and former office bearers should be prevented from doing business with the state. She asked the candidate to give reasons and provide solutions.

Question Three
Ms M Kibi (ANC) said the Constitution directs the public service to be professional, accountable and development orientated. The NDP amplifies this constitutional directive by identifying specific steps that need to promote these values and principles across public administration. She asked the candidate's understanding of the vision of professionalising the public administration in the country. The response should distinguish between cadre deployment based on the meritocratic and cadre deployment based on the mediocratic in public administration. What could be the role of the PSC in ensuring professionalisation of the public administration is institutionalised? Maladministration and corruption are cancers ingrained in the public service and has become the new normal and is negatively impacting on development in South Africa. What causes corruption and how can the PSC play a meaningful role in preventing and curbing corrupt practices in the public service? She asked the candidate to indicate current weaknesses in the system and propose solutions.

Question Four
Mr C Sibisi (NFP) said professionalisation of the public service can happen as a function of meritocracy which is a system of appointing and promoting staff based on knowledge and skills. As a Public Service Commissioner, how would the candidate advise government departments to institutionalise meritocratic tools in state administration to achieve professional public service. How does the candidate think the Public Service Commission can strengthen its own oversight and strengthen oversight by Parliament?

Question Five
Ms M Clarke (DA) said it is believed that a responsible, ethical and value-driven Public Service Commission depends on, amongst other things the investigative function of the PSC into public administration malpractices, particularly in the areas of irregular appointments and curbing corruption in government departments. How can the PSC strengthen its role of investigation into unethical conduct and parlay a meaningful role in assisting government to curb corruption in the public administration?

Question Six
The power to appoint is assigned by Section 3(7) of the Public Service Act. Ministers or MECs can delegate this power to department officials. What are the major obstacles in the public sector recruitment system and is it effective in ensuring a professional and capable state. What role can the PSC play in eliminating unethical practices in the recruitment system to ensure public servants are appointed based on merit?

Question Seven
Ms R Komane (EFF) said there is a huge loss of public monies due to corruption especially with public servants doing business with the state. How can public servants be stopped from doing business with the state since there is already legislation which prevents this practice, but it is still happening?

The Chairperson asked if the candidate had any questions for the interview panel. He said that the outcome of the interviews would be communicated in due course.

Additional Question
In addition to these questions, Ms Clarke asked Mr Kaelo Maropefela to elaborate on serious allegations in a disciplinary case against him while employed at PanSALB. The candidate's arbitration took place at the High Court from the 20 to 22 October 2020. She asked the candidate to elaborate on the outcome of this process.

Before the candidate could answer the question, the Chairperson overruled the question, saying the candidate was being put on the spot and that he would not allow the question. "Let us not ambush the person we are interviewing. He came here prepared to be interviewed. We cannot put other things to him that have nothing to do with the interview. We are still going to assess all the applicants at the end of the interview process and the verification of everything that needs to be verified will done by the panel without embarrassing and ambushing the applicants”.

Ms Lesoma agreed with the Chairperson.

Ms Komane said the Committee should desist from diverging from its core agreement and that it was totally wrong to expose the candidate to that. All candidates should have a fair chance.

Ms Clarke said she asked for permission to ask a follow-up question. Should she reserve it for the Committee’s discussion?

Ms Komane said the comment she made was for the record and not for engagement.

The Chairperson noted that he had not known what Ms Clarke would ask which was why he had allowed it.

The meeting was adjourned.