Draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service Submission of Public Comments

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) provides a formal submission of public comments on the 'National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service' published in December 2020. While PARI supports the framework's goal of insulating the public service from inappropriate political interference, it argues that the document is too aspirational and focuses excessively on inputs (such as training and exams) rather than outputs, performance management, and consequence management.

• PARI argues that the South African public administration suffers from corruption and incapacity caused by "unconstrained political control over appointment, career progression and removal," which has allowed public resources to be shifted toward "personal enrichment and patronage."
• The framework is criticized for focusing predominantly on inputs—such as pre-entry exams, competency tests, and training—rather than outputs, and for failing to explore how these inputs are assessed or monitored to ensure they translate into "enhanced operational and administrative capability."
• PARI contends that the framework lacks a sufficient "stick approach" regarding performance and consequence management, noting that professionalism requires both rewards and disciplinary measures to ensure constitutional values become "second nature to every public servant."
• To prevent political interference in recruitment, PARI proposes that the Public Service Commission (PSC) act as an independent check. Specifically, they suggest that for national or provincial heads of department, the PSC should be responsible for "process administration," including establishing the selection committee and shortlisting, while the relevant minister or MEC makes the final appointment.
• PARI recommends moving toward permanent contracts for Directors-General (DGs) instead of the proposed 7-year terms, arguing that longer service is associated with "enhanced institutional knowledge" and reduces opportunities for political interference during appointment cycles.
• The submission suggests a "covering in mechanism" for implementing reforms, where a statute is created but only applied to specific departments, components, and municipalities by presidential proclamation, allowing for a gradual transition rather than a simultaneous rollout across all departments.
• PARI highlights a failure in consequence management at senior levels, noting that many senior managers are "suspended (with pay) for years without any real progress," which creates instability and prevents the hiring of replacements.

APA

Public Affairs Research Institute (n.d.). Draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service Submission of Public Comments. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/25022021_PARI_Final-Submission_NIFPPS_v1.0.pdf

Chicago

Public Affairs Research Institute. Draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service Submission of Public Comments. n.d. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/25022021_PARI_Final-Submission_NIFPPS_v1.0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Public Affairs Research Institute |title=Draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service Submission of Public Comments |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/25022021_PARI_Final-Submission_NIFPPS_v1.0.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{publicaffairsresearchinstitutenddraft, author = {{Public Affairs Research Institute}}, title = {{Draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service Submission of Public Comments}}, publisher = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/25022021_PARI_Final-Submission_NIFPPS_v1.0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }