More public servants are blowing the whistle on corruption and unethical behaviour, but government departments are sluggish in joining the fight.
This is the thrust of a trend analysis report compiled by the Public Service Commission (PSC) that compares the responses by public servants between 2004/05 and 2005/06.
The report says there has been a steep increase in the reporting of misdemeanours, particularly since the introduction of the national anti-corruption hotline.
In 2004/05, the PSC received 45 complaints. In the last financial year, this figure has increased to 883. Of these, 757 were received through the hotline, while 116 were lodged in terms of the normal complaints rules of the PSC.
Of the 757 complaints received through the hotline, 386 were referred to national and provincial departments for investigation and to provide feedback to the PSC. Acknowledgments of receipt were, however, only received for 78 of the complaints and only 11 complaints (3%) were responded to.
‘The delays in responses, while unacceptable, can be attributed to the sudden additional burden that the hotline has placed on departments,†says PSC chairperson Stan Sangweni.
‘The PSC is following up with departments on a continuous basis and has also commenced putting departments on notice that it will invoke its right to summons institutions or executing authorities concerned if information is not forthcoming.â€
According to Sangweni, the rise in complaints can be linked to the good governance awareness campaigns of the PSC and other government departments.
The majority of complaints received through the hotline involved the department of correctional services — 125 were received from prisoners who complained about prison conditions.
Fifty-three cases involved the South African Police Service and 41 came from the department of labour.
In 292 instances, complainants chose to remain anonymous.
The Institute for Security Studies’ Hennie van Vuuren says the increase in complaints received by the PSC is a positive sign. ‘It must indicate that many public servants are aware of the PSC and its role, and do believe that if they engage with the PSC, something will come of it. As a key chapter 9 (of the Constitution) institution, this is a nod to the PSC that many public servants have faith in them.â€
According to Van Vuuren, the ‘real problem†lies with the PSC’s interaction with government departments.
‘It is very clear that these departments are acting in a very poor manner. The net effect of this is that public servants, who are key whistle-blowers, might not want to be part of the solution if they don’t have faith in the final stage of the process.â€
Van Vuuren urges the Asmal Commission, which investigates chapter 9 institutions, to look at why departments are responding as they do, and recommends ‘giving chapter 9 institutions additional powers to bolster their roleâ€.
Some of the PSC’s most recent investigations include the Northern Cape department of housing and local government (irregular payment of bonuses) and the Gauteng health department (functioning of the disciplinary appeal committee).