The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), as the employer of public servants on behalf of the South African government, has noted the report of the Public Service Commission (PSC) on the management of job applicants with criminal record in the public service. Without necessarily negating the contents of the report, the DPSA would like to bring to light that out of over a million public servants; only 223 were found by the PSC research to have criminal records.
The statistics proves that government puts stringent measures to ensure that applicants who get employed in the public service do not have criminal records. However, the PSC report brings to light the necessity for government to close the loopholes or administrative bungles which lead to applicants with criminal record coming into the public service employment.
Government has noted the recommendations contained in the report and will need to ensure that the already existing recruitment and vetting systems are adhered to and improved where necessary. Through ensuring that the appointment of public servants is done according to stipulated regulations, government would also ensure that the necessary employment practices do not amount to unfair and discriminatory process to applicants who would like to join the public service.
For more information contact:
Sefako Nyaka
Cell: 076 125 3097
Issued by: Department of Public Service and Administration
18 September 2009
