South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa says consultation has begun on a policy document that will target nepotism, political interference and corruption in the Public Service.
Mr Ramaphosa said reforms could include extending the tenure of Heads of Department based on merit and performance, doing occupation-based competency assessments and involving the Public Service Commission in the interviews of senior officials.
“The Public Service must be staffed by men and women who are professional, skilled, selfless and honest,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
Meanwhile, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) has expressed concern over a projected freeze in salary increases for doctors and nurses employed in the public sector.
Chair of SAMA, Angelique Coetzee (pictured) said while the public sector wage bill should be reduced significantly to ease the Government’s financial burdens, a blanket halting of salary increases for all Government employees was not the right approach.
“This could have major consequences for the Government down the line because if public sector doctors do not feel valued, they will leave the country which could result in the total collapse of the healthcare system,” Dr Coetzee said.
“Healthcare workers in the Public Service already face many challenges that range from a lack of basic equipment and resources to general safety and security at their places of work,” she said.
Dr Coetzee said many Public Service doctors were staying in South Africa out of a sense of duty to their country.
“If doctors aren’t being remunerated properly, they will find work elsewhere, it’s as simple as that,” she said.
Pretoria, 4 March 2021
