Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister, members and guests in the gallery, a capable state is imperative for economic growth, job creation and development prospects. It stands central to the implementation and execution of the constitutional obligations and government policies which should benefit its citizens. A capable state should give hope, optimism, encouragement, a sense of comfort, security, patriotism, and value for taxpayers' money.
Daar is niks waarby die Staatsdiens nie betrokke is nie, en hierdie debat bied die geleentheid om te bepaal of die begrotingsvoorstelle wel sulke uitkomste kan ondersteun. Beide die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan, NOP, en die Staasdienskommissie se verslae bied vir ons 'n blik op die werklike uitdagings wat te bowe gekom moet word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[There is nothing that the Public Service is not involved in, and this debate offers the opportunity to determine whether the budget proposals would indeed be able to support such outcomes. The reports of the National Development Plan, NDP, and the Public Service Commission give us a glimpse into the actual challenges that need to be overcome.]
The Public Service Commission and especially the National Development Plan, NDP, emphasise one of the three outstanding priorities, the need to build "the capability of the state to play a developmental, transformative role". The NDP further states that -
... South Africa needs ... radically improved government performance. In some instances, policy change may be necessary, but in most areas it is about getting the basics right ... [and] holding people accountable for their actions.
Both commissions express real concern that the risk South Africa is running is that the so-called developmental agenda could fail because the state is incapable of implementing it. They further state that a capable state does not come about by way of a decree or legislation but by strong and decisive leadership, sound policies, skilled managers and staff, clear lines of accountability, appropriate systems and consistent, fair and unbiased application of rules and regulations. Added to that, a state must be free from corruption, patronage and the enrichment of employees and their friends.
Chairperson, both the Public Service Commission and the National Planning Commission, NPC, are clear that we currently do not have a capable state. According to the NPC, we will require enhanced oversight by Parliament, professionalisation of the Public Service, and the upgrade of professional and technical skills like doctors, engineers, information technologists, forensic specialists, etc. They also identified that the management ability of senior staff requires great attention.
Sal die Leierskaps- en Bestuursakademie vir Openbare Administrasie, Palama, en sy opvolger, die "school of government", binne die huidige begroting enige impak kan maak? Eenstemmigheid bestaan dat Palama nie die resultate kan lewer nie, en in die afwesigheid van besigheidplanne en ander bronne van fondse moet die wenslikheid en die vermo van die "school of government" om 'n aparte fakulteit ten volle te vestig en 'n verskil te maak oor die medium termyn ernstig bevraagteken word. 'n Beter alternatief is om met bestaande tersire instellings saam te werk sodat leerplanne saamgestel kan word en kandidate sodoende gelewer kan word wat oor die kennis beskik wat noodsaaklik is vir 'n kundige en professionele Staatsdiens.
Voorsitter, die NOP identifiseer die onvermo van en die gebrek aan politieke wil by die staat om korrupsie te bekamp as ernstige belemmerings. Die Minister het aangekondig dat sy voor die einde van die kwartaal wetgewing sal voorl waarvolgens 'n korrupsie-ondersoekeenheid gestig sal word, asook wetgewing waarvolgens staatsamptenare en hul naasbestaandes verbied sal word om met die regering besigheid te doen. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Will the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy, Palama, and its successor, the School of Government, be able to make any impact within the current budget? Consensus exists with regard to Palama's inability to deliver results, and in the absence of business plans and other sources of funding the appropriateness and ability of the School of Government to fully establish a separate faculty and make a difference over the medium term should be questioned seriously. A better alternative is to co-operate with existing tertiary institutions with regard to the development of syllabi that would ensure competent candidates who have the expertise and professionalism that are vital to the Public Service.
Chairperson, the NDP identifies the state's inability and lack of political will to combat corruption as serious impediments. The Minister has announced that she will table legislation to establish a corruption- investigation unit, as well as legislation to prohibit public servants and their families from doing business with government.]
The DA is pleased that the Minister has finally shown her support for the DA's proposed Bill on the business interests of state employees, which regulates public servants in doing business with government, after she announced earlier today that her department was working on legislation to outlaw public servants from dealing with government. This is a step in the right direction. Public servants and/or their families with business interests abusing their positions have been at the root of most corruption. The 2011-12 Auditor-General's report shows that contracts to the value of R141 million were awarded to suppliers in which close family members of employees of government entities had an interest. This is an increase on R136 million from the previous year.
A challenge in the curbing of corruption is the much-delayed legislation which will prevent public servants from serving as political party office bearers. Often employees are higher in the party hierarchy than the public representatives themselves, which creates an unbearable situation that enhances corruption. We urge the Minister to ensure that this legislation materialises before the 2014 elections, otherwise this will go down as simply pre-election lip service. A good example is the chaos that emanated from the Guptagate embarrassment, where party officials and public servants are blaming each other, with no one taking responsibility for the mess.
Hoewel ons die Minister die voordeel van die twyfel wil gee, is daar tog twyfel of daar werklike politieke wil is, en alternatiewelik, of sy die politieke ondersteuning het om haar voornemens tot uitvoering te bring. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Even though we would like to give the Minister the benefit of the doubt, there is still doubt as to whether the political will actually exists, or alternatively, whether she has political support to carry through with her intentions.]
It has to be stated that the appointment of Mr Menzi Simelane as her special adviser casts some serious doubt on the Minister's real commitment and political will to create integrity and professionalism in the Public Service. Minister, was this just a bad judgement call by you, or were you forced to take him on? Mr Simelane was found to be not a fit and proper person to head up the National Director of Public Prosecutions, NDPP, following his appointment by President Zuma. The court ruling then forced his dismissal. The Minister cannot expect to raise a Public Service of integrity and professionalism while employees of the likes of Mr Simelane are appointed.
Minister Sisulu has admitted to the need to spend less money on consultants after the R102 billion bill last year for outsourced consultants. Resources should be channelled towards training public servants, instead of hiring consultants to do the same work government officials have been appointed for. Many consultants are former public servants contracted to perform the same tasks at inflated costs. We call on the Minister to put measures in place to curb the use of consultants who appear not to be adding value to government departments' outcomes. Will she get the support from other Ministries and government departments? The current indication is that this required support leaves much to be desired.
Another concern is the number of suspended employees on full pay. Cases across government departments tend to drag on indefinitely or, when findings are presented, the punishment is often served late or not at all. A perfect example is the 303 cases that emerged as a result of the Limpopo intervention and are still waiting to be resolved. This is far too high, especially in a province where turnaround is being attempted. We need to emphasise that the Minister must ensure that departments do not drag their feet in resolving these cases. Those found to be delaying such processes must be brought to book.
Today, you mentioned that R8 billion would be retained by government if all unfunded posts were to be done away with. This amount would be higher if we could deal with all cases of suspension or disciplinary cases just as swiftly.
Minister, you also announced today that you have tabled draft legislation before a Cabinet committee that will lead the way to what we refer to as a single Public Service. We urge you to consider this carefully. It will be a huge and drawn-out task to only correct the current Public Service, and it will be impossible to implement an untested model in the third sphere of government, which is even further away from the control point.
There will be many detrimental intentional and unintentional consequences. It is likely to compromise a municipality's ability or right to exercise its powers and perform its functions, which will be in contravention of section 151 of the Constitution. It is also likely to undermine the executive authority of provinces. This is in contravention of section 125 of the Constitution. Under a single Public Service, officials will no longer be accountable to democratically elected executives, but to a centralised bureaucracy. This has no place in any constitutional democracy. One of the hallmarks of a successful government is the ability and the political will to appoint the right people in the right posts. Governments that follow this formula tend to succeed. Those practicing cadre deployment generally fail.
Die onkoste verbonde aan en die haalbaarheid van 'n enkele Staatsdiens is nie bekend nie. Met 'n groei in bruto binnelandse produk, BBP, van 2% tot 2,5% en 'n inflasiekoers van 6% kan daar onmoontlik die geld gegenereer word om ook hierdie ondeurdagte oefening te finansier.
Indien hierdie insette nie ter harte geneem word nie, sal daar geregverdigde kommer bestaan of hierdie begroting enige verskil sal maak in die gereedheid en die vermo van die staat om die verlangde inkomste te genereer en of dit waarde vir geld sal wees. Ek dank u. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The costs related to and the feasibility of a single Public Service have not been made public. With a gross domestic product, GDP, growth of 2% to 2,5% and an inflation rate of 6%, it would be impossible to generate the money to fund this ill-considered exercise.
If these inputs are not taken to heart, justified concern will arise as to whether this budget will make any difference in the state's readiness and capability to generate the desired income, and whether it will be value for money. I thank you. [Applause.]]