According to the department of public service and administration, a candidate will be subjected to a personnel suitability check before an appointment. (Paul Botes/M&G)
Jacob Melusi Motha has not been the only convict to work in the public service.
According to the Public Service Commission (PSC) back in 2009 —the last time an investigation was done — there were 223 permanently employed public servants with criminal records. Of this number, 22% were women. Of the 166 public servants with criminal records employed in national departments, the treasury employed the highest number (49), followed by the department of correctional services.
The PSC has not updated their numbers since 2009 but regulations applying to government and Northwest Transport Investments are clear: if you have a criminal record you have to disclose.
According to the department of public service and administration, a candidate will be subjected to a personnel suitability check before an appointment. “Applicants are required to complete the prescribed Z83 application form.The Z83 form has a specific section that must be completed by applicants, which requires the applicant to specify whether he/she had been convicted of a criminal offence or dismissed from employment.”