Top officials should reapply for their jobs, says CDE | The Witness

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to force people in top public service jobs to reapply for their positions.

Ann Bernstein, executive director of CDE, also called for action against cadre deployment in favour of merit-based appointments and suggested the establishment of a permanent disciplinary tribunal, chaired by a retired judge, for officials accused of corruption.

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“The focus of the new government must be on putting the best possible people into key positions. Excellent professional appointments can kickstart change, achieve faster growth, and generate millions more jobs,” said Ann Bernstein.

A CDE report that is part of an initiative to “set out catalytic actions to reverse South Africa’s decline … makes the case for replacing underperforming public officials with excellent people of impeccable integrity to turbocharge the new government’s reform agenda”.

In the report, CDE identifies a list of “mission critical” jobs that will be vital for implementing the first phase of a new government’s reform agenda.

These include Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, director-generals and their deputies in the priority portfolios of Finance; Trade, Industry and Competition; Police; Justice and Constitutional Development; and Employment and Labour.

The CEOs, chairpersons and other senior officials of state-owned companies (SOCs) and institutions under government control are also considered “mission critical”.

We use the term ‘mission critical’ to describe jobs that will determine the success or failure of turning SA around.

“If the state is to become much more effective, opportunities must be seized to improve state capability dramatically and ensure the best possible people for the job required are appointed,” said Bernstein.

“Wherever possible, officials in ‘mission critical’ positions should be asked to reapply for their positions and appointed only after rigorous recruitment processes,” she added.

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Bernstein called on Ramaphosa to — very early in the new administration — issue a statement “unequivocally indicating the government’s opposition to and termination of cadre deployment”.

“This is an essential and fundamental principle required for the rebuilding of an honest, effective public service,” said Bernstein.

The CDE also recommended the establishment of a permanent disciplinary tribunal chaired by a retired judge for officials accused of corruption.

“The aim is to avoid lengthy delays in dismissing officials credibly accused of corruption.

The tribunal should operate on an inquisitorial basis and be empowered to dismiss officials if the judge believes the evidence meets the ‘balance of probabilities’ standard. It should not need to wait for the completion of criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Other important reforms the CDE highlighted as important included strengthening the Public Service Commission; more rigorous entrance exams for public servants; and the amendment of the Labour Relations Act to make it easier to replace civil servants in senior leadership positions.

“Achieving a workable reform agenda requires a well-oiled state machine. That, in turn, depends upon hard-working, honest public servants executing their responsibilities effectively and conscientiously,” said Bernstein.

“In the absence of a capable civil service, attempts to overcome the multiple crises that beset the country will fail. Rebuilding an effective state will take time but we need bold reforms and more effective delivery to occur urgently,” she added.

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The report forms part of CDE’s “AGENDA 2024: Priorities for SA’s new government” and is based on CDE’s extensive policy work and recent collaboration with experts, business leaders, former public servants and academics.