SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s Minister of Public Service and Administration has ordered an investigation into allegations of workplace bullying and unfair treatment of junior employees in the Public Service.
Ayanda Dlodlo’s move follows the publication of a Public Service Commission report detailing several cases of misconduct and other grievances against senior managers that were not being investigated.
Noting the report with concern, Ms Dlodlo (pictured) instructed the Labour and Human Resources units of the Department to follow up and uncover cases across the Public Service.
“We are concerned about such allegations of unfair treatment of junior employees,” Ms Dlodlo said.
“This does not only reflect badly on our disciplinary system at the Public Service, but it also dampens the morale of these employees and affects workplace productivity and relations.”
She said that while the Public Service Act decentralised discipline to respective Heads of Departments “we have to make sure that we investigate such incidents and deal with them decisively”.
She said the investigations would start immediately and a report would be tabled before the end of the financial year.
She also announced the formation of a Technical Assistance Unit responsible for discipline, ethics and integrity that would further strengthen the fight against corruption.
“This technical unit, including the strengthening of the enforcement powers for the Public Service Commission, will contribute to the institutionalisation of enforcement mechanisms to combat corruption and to increase accountability across all organs of the State,” Ms Dlodlo said.
Pretoria, 7 February, 2019
