Policy consultations

During the course of the 2010/11 financial year, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport was found to be operating with out-dated draft policies by the Auditor-General (AG), the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and its own portfolio committee.

Subsequent to this, a task team comprising of the policy development unit, Human Resources Management (HRM) unit led by Ms Sibongile Somhlahlo and Labour unions was set-up to embark on a Policy Review exercise aimed at updating the policies and ensuring that the department operates within the relevant, legal and compliant policies.

To address the situation, the department’s policy development unit has been holding a number of policy consultations at head office and with the districts to sensitise employees of the existence of these policies and their implication thereof. Initially the target was purely on Human Resources (HR) - related policies.

Initially these consultation sessions were centred at Head office; however after an HR forum meeting in East London earlier this year to further engage on the subject, it was resolved that the process be extended to all Districts.

To date nine HR Policies have been reviewed since the start of the financial year as a result of interactions between Policy Development Unit and HR Specialists.

Head of Policy Development Ms Lindelwa Mrawusi congratulated the task team for a job well done and emphasised the importance of operating with up to date and relevant policy documents, she also pledged for support from Senior Management as the final session will be held with the Top Management of the department for adoption and approval of all the nine HR policies.