National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800701701 Complaints E-Mail: Complaints@opsc.gov.za Grievances E-Mail :Grievances@opsc.gov.za
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About PSC

Vision

  • An impartial and innovative champion of public administration excellence in South Africa.

Mission

  • To actively promote the constitutional values and principles as well as service excellence in public administration practices which result in a capable, ethical, innovative and developmental state.
  • Professionalism
  • Respect
  • Empathy
  • Fairness
  • Accountability
  • Integrity
  • Responsiveness

The Constitution, 1996, mandates the Commission to perform functions. In terms of Section 196(4) of the Constitution, the Commission shall:

  1. promote the constitutionally prescribed values and principles governing public administration in the public service;
  2. investigate, monitor and evaluate the organisation and administration, and the personnel practices, of the public service;
  3. propose measures to ensure effective and efficient performance within the public service;
  4. give directions aimed at ensuring that personnel procedures relating to recruitment, transfers promotions and dismissals comply with the constitutionally prescribed values and principles;
  5. report in respect of its activities and the performance of its functions, including any finding it may make and directions and advice it may give, and to provide an evaluation of the extent to which the constitutionally prescribed values and principles are complied with; and
  6. either of its own accord or on receipt of any complaint:
    1. investigate and evaluate the application of personnel and public administration practices, and report to the relevant executive authority and legislature;
    2. investigate grievances of employees in the public service concerning official acts or omissions, and recommend appropriate remedies;
    3. monitor and investigate adherence to applicable procedures in the public service; and
    4. advise national and provincial organs of state regarding personnel practices in the public service, including those relating to the recruitment, appointment, transfer, discharge and other aspects of the careers of employees in the public service.

In terms of item (v) above the Commission shall report at least once a year to the National Assembly; and in respect of its activities in a province, to the legislature of the province.

The Commission will at all times retain its independent and impartial status. Such interaction will in no way affect its reporting to the National Assembly or the various Provincial Legislatures.



The Public Service Commission (PSC) was established in terms of Section 196 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The Constitution stipulates that there be a single Public Service Commission for the Republic of South Africa, consisting of fourteen members, five of which are appointed on the recommendation of the National Assembly. One member is appointed from each of the nine provinces, after nomination by the Premier of the province. The Commission is accountable to the National Assembly and must report annually to the Assembly. It must also report on its activities in each province to the Legislature of the province concerned.

In line with the Constitution as mentioned above, the PSC (Commission) comprises 14 Commissioners: 5 Pretoria-based Commissioners and one Commissioner Resident in each province. The Commission is headed by a Chairperson.

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Legislative Mandate

The PSC derives its mandate from section 195 and 196 of the Constitution, 1996. The PSC is tasked and empowered to, amongst others, investigate, monitor, and evaluate the organisation and administration of the Public Service. This mandate also entails the evaluation of achievements, or lack thereof of Government programmes. The PSC also has an obligation to promote measures that would ensure effective and efficient performance within the Public Service and to promote values and principles of public administration as set out in the Constitution, throughout the Public Service. These values and principles are:

  • A high standard of professional ethics
  • Efficient, economic and effective use of resources
  • A development-orientated public administration
  • Provision of services in an impartial, fair and equitable way, without bias
  • Responding to people's needs and encouraging the public to participate in policy-making
  • Accountable Public Administration
  • Fostering Transparency
  • The cultivation of good human resource management and career-development practices
  • A representative public administration with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past.


The work of the PSC is structured around six Key Performance Areas - listed below.

The work of the PSC is structured around six Key Performance Areas - listed below.

Labour Relations Improvement

Conduct investigative research and provide advice on complaints, grievances, labour relations practices and policies.

Leadership and Human Resource Reviews

Promote a high standard of public service leadership and encourage best practices in human resource policies

Governance Monitoring

Promote good governance and improve governance practices in the public service

Public Administration Investigations

Undertake audits and investigations into public administration practices.

Professional Ethics

Promote a high standard of ethical conduct among public servants and contribute to prevent and combating corruption.

The work of the PSC is structured around six Key Performance Areas - listed below.

Labour Relations Improvement

Conduct investigative research and provide advice on complaints, grievances, labour relations practices and policies.

Leadership and Human Resource Reviews

Promote a high standard of public service leadership and encourage best practices in human resource policies

Governance Monitoring

Promote good governance and improve governance practices in the public service

Public Administration Investigations

Undertake audits and investigations into public administration practices.

Professional Ethics

Promote a high standard of ethical conduct among public servants and contribute to prevent and combating corruption.