Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu announced that Cabinet has approved the Public Service Amendment Bill and the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill for public comment, as he provided an update on the current public service wage negotiations.

Mchunu welcomed the negotiations currently underway by the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), between government and unions in the public service space.

Workers are demanding a salary increase of consumer price inflation with an additional four percentage points, as well as a 12% risk allowance of basic salary owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Internally, as the DPSA, we revamped some of our systems although not completely. The Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit is managing public servants doing business with the State and generally improving on discipline and ethics in the public service,” he said.

An independent facilitator will monitor fragmentation in the public service and public administration in the country.

Mchunu said South Africa was at war against corruption and corrupt activities in public service and public administration. He noted that investigations were underway by the Special Investigating Unit, National Prosecuting Authority, the Hawks and the Auditor-General.

“We encourage the investigators to continue and not tire in their efforts as government and its leadership pledges its support. There are encouraging signs within the governing party to mean what they say and not only in terms of rhetoric but also in their actions. The whole of society must turn its back on corruption, which has decimating consequences for the poor,” he stated. 

He is confident that engagements with the PSCBC will close the gap between government and labour.

He urged those involved with negotiations to be “courageous, exercise leadership and negotiate with their brains and hearts”.

“Negotiate as patriotic citizens not as adversaries. We, ourselves, are investing a lot into these negotiations and are expecting a lot from the outcome, doing so in good faith and with the utmost transparency under circumstances where National Treasury has unequivocally told Cabinet that the State has no money. Each proposal by either of the parties must be taken seriously, holistically and comprehensively. You need to go beyond demands and arrive at solutions to challenges facing all of us collectively, avoiding confrontation,” he said.