On Tuesday, the Public Service Commission expressed concern at the latest spate of departures and suspensions of directors-general and heads of departments, warning the trend has a "destabilising effect on government".
The South African Social Security Agency CEO, Thokozani Magwaza, left his job on Monday amid speculation about tension with Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini. On the same day, it emerged that Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane had given her director-general, Dan Mashitisho, a notice of intention to suspend him. Last week, Agriculture director-general Mike Mlengana was suspended due to "governance-related issues" — about a year after he was appointed to great applause.
These exits have stoked fears that responsible captains of government agencies are being purged to undo their work and place politically connected people higher up in the pecking order of lucrative government contracts.
The commission is tasked with and empowered to, among other things, investigate, monitor, and evaluate the organisation and administration of the Public Service. According to the commission, while the average period of tenure for a director-general or head of department had risen from 2.7 years in September of 2015 to 2.9 years in September of 2016, perceptions of internal spats at government departments were concerning.
"The allegations that these actions emanate from tensions at the political-administrative interface is disconcerting, as a high rate of turnover at the most senior level in the Public Service can have a destabilising effect [on] these departments and ultimately on service delivery," said the commission in a statement.
It added that all disciplinary cases affecting directors-general and heads of departments will be dealt with promptly to ensure fairness and accountability.
"Long periods of suspension not only have a negative effect on the employee’s reputation, dignity and integrity, but also on the state. In the latter regard, it impacts negatively on the effective management of resources, service delivery, the morale of employees and accountability."
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