Richard Baloyi on public service employees as candidates in the 2009
elections
23 March 2009
The Minister of Public Service and Administration Mr Richard Baloyi today
called on all executing authorities and heads of national and provincial
departments in the public service to ensure that employees heed and comply with
regulations governing public servants who will stand as candidates in the April
2009 general elections.
Under the Constitution, public servants may not be members of any
legislature but may be candidates for election subject to limits and conditions
set by national legislation.
In previous elections employees covered by the Public Service Act (referred
to as public service employees) were required to resign from the public service
when issued with certificates as candidates by the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC).
For the April 2009 elections public service employees who become candidates
do not have to resign and may remain in the employ of the public service.
But public service employees must inform their departments when issued with
the certificate and submit a copy thereof. These employees are also regarded to
be on annual leave from the date the certificates are issued until the election
results are finalised.
These changes are a result of a Presidential proclamation Gazetted on
Friday, 20 March. The Code of Conduct for public service employees, including
those who are candidates, stipulates that they may not abuse their positions in
the public service to promote or prejudice any political party's interests and
must refrain from party political activities in the workplace.
Public service employees who are elected and assume office are regarded as
having resigned from the public service.
Contact:
Sefako Nyaka
Tel: 012 336 1037
Cell: 076 125 3097
Lebo Mafokosi
Tel: 012 336 1017
Cell: 082 312 4641
Issued by: Department of Public Service and Administration
23 March 2009
