KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
7 March 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Cabinet has described as appalling the general
behaviour of a large proportion of civil servants in the delivery of services
in the province. The Cabinet, which met in Pietermaritzburg today, 7 March
2007, called for stern measures by managers to address issues of discipline and
work ethic within the provincial civil service. The Cabinet, which meets every
Wednesday, says a series of blitzes by its members will unfold beginning next
month where unannounced visits to specific government departments will be
conducted.
"We have 172 000 civil servants in the Provincial Government, excluding
municipalities, but you still find very long queues in some departments,
meaning the service levels are not good. The situation is actually shocking,"
said KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sibusiso Ndebele at the meeting. He made
reference to a reported incident where a car-hijack victim in Pietermaritzburg
was allegedly not assisted at a local police station "because the police
officers there were playing cards."
The Cabinet approved the Employee Performance Management Framework. The
Cabinet also observed that food parcels meant for the most indigent were still
lying in storage while some families went without food.
"This is horrendous. We can't have pockets of excellence here and there in
the civil service, but still find civil servants who are insolent and officers
taking bribes. This must change. As Cabinet, let us lead the charge ourselves,"
Ndebele said.
At the same meeting, the Cabinet also expressed grave concern at the
potential climatic changes as a result of global warming. The Cabinet could
have serious repercussions on government planning, including food production,
human settlements and general economic development in the province. A
well-researched plan will have to be worked out to meet the challenges, the
Cabinet said.
Enquiries:
Mandla Cecil Msomi
Chief Director
Cell: 072 671 0775
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
7 March 2007
