KwaZulu-Natal
7 March 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Cabinet has described the general behaviour of
a large proportion of civil servants in the delivery of services in the
province as appalling.
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 of 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
that the service levels are not good. The situation is actually shocking," said
KZN Premier Sibusiso Ndebele at the meeting. He made reference to a reported
incident where a car-hijacked 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. This, the Cabinet
felt, could have serious repercussions on Government planning, including food
production, human settlements and general economic development in the province.
A well researched plan would have to be worked out to meet the challenge, the
Cabinet said.
For enquiries contact:
Mandla Cecil Msomi
Chief Director
Cell: 072 671 0775
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
7 March 2007
