Government has acknowledged persistent delays in recruiting and confirming public servants, saying prolonged vacancies and acting appointments are undermining the effectiveness of the Public Service.
Responding to a question in Parliament on Tuesday from Kgatleng East MP Mabuse Pule, Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa said government was implementing reforms aimed at speeding up recruitment, improving succession planning and reducing lengthy acting appointments.
“The timely recruitment, prompt confirmation of appointments and effective succession planning are critical to maintaining a capable, stable and high-performing Public Service,” Mohwasa said.
He said government was strengthening recruitment processes through revised recruitment guidelines, greater delegation of human resource functions to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and the introduction of clearer turnaround times.
Mohwasa attributed many of the recruitment delays to difficulties in attracting and retaining staff in remote areas.
He said officers who accept promotions requiring relocation to rural postings often request transfers to urban centres after only a short period of service, creating recurring vacancies.
“To curb this disturbing tendency, a decision has been made to offer appointments on condition that officers remain at their designated posts for a minimum of five years before they can be transferred,” he said.
Mohwasa also revealed that he and senior government officials would soon visit districts across the country to assess vacancy levels in government departments and monitor the implementation of the new recruitment measures.
The visits will include consultations with district leadership.
The minister said the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) had introduced administrative performance standards requiring ministries, departments and agencies to complete recruitment within a 90-day cycle.
The process covers every stage of recruitment, including requisition, approval, advertisement, selection, appointment and assumption of duty.
“DPSM continues to monitor compliance with these standards and provides guidance to ministries, departments and agencies to address bottlenecks that delay the filling of vacancies,” Mohwasa said.
He added that appointing authorities had also been directed to assess and confirm newly appointed officers within the prescribed six-month probation period, subject to satisfactory performance.
Mohwasa said recent labour law reforms, including the Employment and Labour Relations Act and the Public Service Act, were intended to strengthen employment practices and improve workforce management.
“Appointing authorities will be expected to make decisions that are consistent with fair labour practices when filling vacancies in order to avoid prolonged acting appointments,” he said.
