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The 'Toolkit for Public Servants', published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, is a guide designed to support South African public servants in identifying and reporting corruption and unethical conduct. It provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing public service ethics, specifically detailing the processes and protections available under the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) and the Public Service Regulations (PSR 2016).

This document provides biographical profiles of speakers associated with ZondoCon 2023, featuring a diverse group of South African legal experts, government officials, academics, journalists, and civil society activists. The profiles highlight professional backgrounds in anti-corruption, constitutional law, public finance, and governance, with several individuals having direct ties to the Zondo Commission and state capture investigations.

This policy brief argues that secure land tenure is a prerequisite for the just engagement of indigenous communities in South Africa's energy transition. Focusing on the Boegoebaai green hydrogen hub in the Northern Cape, the document highlights how the Richtersveld community's unresolved land restitution claims and historical dispossessions risk further marginalization. It calls for the conclusion of land claims, the adoption of inclusive partnership models (similar to those in Canada), and the institutionalization of free, prior, and informed consent to prevent land alienation and ensure indigenous people benefit as owners or partners rather than mere beneficiaries.

This policy brief by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the political-administrative interface in South African local government, focusing on the need to professionalise public administration and insulate it from political patronage. It analyses recent legislative changes, such as the 2022 Municipal Systems Amendment Act, and proposes reforms to appointment processes for senior officials to ensure greater stability and democratic accountability.

The Public Affairs Research Institute provides a critique of the proposed Public Procurement Bill in South Africa, arguing that it fails to establish the legal framework required by Section 217 of the constitution to guide preferential procurement policies and prevent abuse.

The report summarizes dialogues on enhancing South African state capacity, highlighting the need for a $250 billion energy transition, the professionalization of the public service to reduce political interference, and the urgent need to address municipal infrastructure backlogs and the legacies of state capture.

A public comment submission by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and partners to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) regarding the Draft Public Administration Management Regulations for the Central Register (Gazette No. 51963). The document provides recommendations to improve the integrity management of the public service and municipalities by addressing gaps in coverage, recruitment processes, accountability, and the protection of employees against malicious disciplinary actions.

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.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) provides a submission on proposed amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA) and Public Administration Management Act (PAMA). PARI supports the devolution of administrative powers to heads of department (HODs) and the creation of an administrative head of the public service to reduce political patronage and corruption. However, PARI argues that these powers must be balanced by a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment and appointment process involving the Public Service Commission (PSC) to prevent undue political interference. The submission also notes the absence of proposed tenure extensions for HODs and suggests strengthening rules against employees conducting business with the state by including beneficial ownership in the restrictions.

This briefing is a keynote speech delivered by Richard Sizani, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, at a Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) roundtable on 10 April 2018. The speech addresses the need to improve accountability and transparency in the South African public sector by depoliticising executive governance, professionalising the civil service, reforming State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and enhancing public procurement practices.

This report documents the proceedings of a conference titled 'Civil Society – Defeating State Capture and Rebuilding the State', held on 23 October 2019 in Johannesburg. Hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), the event brought together civil society representatives and academics to analyze the effects of state capture in South Africa and propose reforms to insulate the public service from political interference. The report details discussions on the findings of various commissions of inquiry, strategies for state reform, the role of 'lawfare', parliamentary oversight, and public advocacy, culminating in a 'Civil Society Charter' that outlines a collective commitment to rebuilding democratic institutions.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the mechanisms of accountability, oversight, and assurance within South African municipalities. It details the roles of internal municipal committees, provincial and national government departments, legislative bodies, and Chapter 9 institutions in ensuring that local governments operate transparently, legally, and effectively.

This guide explains the mechanisms of accountability, oversight, and assurance within South African local government. It details the roles of internal municipal bodies, provincial and national government departments, legislative bodies, and independent Chapter 9 institutions in ensuring that municipalities operate legally, transparently, and effectively.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the mechanisms of accountability, oversight, and assurance within South African local government. It details the roles of internal municipal structures, provincial and national government departments, legislative bodies, and Chapter 9 institutions in ensuring that municipalities operate legally and transparently to provide essential services.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the mechanisms of accountability and oversight within South African local government. It details the roles of internal municipal bodies, provincial and national government departments, legislative bodies, and Chapter 9 institutions in ensuring that municipalities provide services effectively and manage public funds legally.

This fact sheet presents preliminary action research findings from the COMPACT project, which engaged 12 partner municipalities in South Africa between October and December 2022 to evaluate planning, oversight, and community participation.

This fact sheet describes the 'Compact - My Municipality' initiative, which utilizes Citizen Based Monitoring (CBM) to improve local government accountability and service delivery in South Africa, specifically focusing on water and sanitation infrastructure.

This fact sheet describes the COMPACT Local Government Collaboration Model, a tool designed to facilitate cooperation between municipal administrations, councillors, and the local community to solve complex challenges. The model was developed based on action research in 12 partner municipalities and consists of a five-step process: Purpose, Making Sense of the Challenge, Vision and Hope, Implementing and Adapting, and Reflection and Learning.

A fact sheet describing COMPACT, a co-funded European Union programme implemented by PARI, SALGA, and Integrity Action to improve local government planning, accountability, and public participation in South Africa.

The IDP Roadmap is a fact sheet describing the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), a five-year strategic framework used by municipalities to plan and deliver services through a collaborative process involving government, business, and communities.