- Submission of financial disclosure forms by 31 May 2012
1.1. National departments
Table 1: Submission of financial disclosure forms for the 2011/2012 financial year as at 31 May 2012
| NATIONAL DEPARTMENT/ PROVINCE |
NO. OF SMS MEMBERS |
NO. OF FORMS RECEIVED |
NO. OF FORMS OUTSTANDING |
PERCENTAGE RECEIVED |
| National Departments |
5199 |
3468 |
1731 |
67% |
| Eastern Cape |
621 |
508 |
113 |
82% |
| Free State |
331 |
212 |
119 |
64% |
|
Gauteng |
648 |
641 |
7 |
99% |
| Kwazulu-Natal |
520 |
465 |
55 |
89% |
|
Limpopo |
494 |
472 |
22 |
96% |
|
Mpumalanga |
299 |
287 |
12 |
96% |
| Northern Cape |
227 |
227 |
0 |
100% |
|
North West |
312 |
83 |
229 |
27% |
| Western Cape |
358 |
358 |
0 |
100% |
| OVERALL PROVINCIAL TOTAL |
3810 |
3253 |
557 |
85% |
| COUNTRY TOTAL |
9009 |
6721 |
2288 |
75% |
The PSC found that of the overall compliance
rate as at 31 May 2012 of 75%, national
departments were 67% compliant, and provincial
departments were 85% compliant. The Northern
Cape and Western Cape are the only two Provinces
that achieved a 100% compliance rate by the due
date.
The PSC is concerned that there are some
departments, both at national and provincial
level that did not submit a single financial
disclosure form to the PSC by the due date of
the 31 May 2012. The report shows that seventeen
(17) national departments did not submit a single
financial disclosure form to the PSC by the due
date.
1.2. Provincial departments
The study reveals that a total of fourteen (14)
provincial departments located within three (3)
provinces did not submit their financial disclosure
forms by the due date of 31 May 2012. They are North
West Province (8 departments), followed by the Free
State Province (4 departments) and KwaZulu Natal
Province (2 departments). These departments failed
to comply with the Framework despite the efforts
taken by the PSC to remind Executive Authorities
(EAs) to submit copies of the forms on which the
designated employees disclosed their financial
interests by no later than 31 May. The EAs were
advised in the reminder letters that, disciplinary
action should be taken against defaulting SMS
members, in terms of the Disciplinary Code and
Procedures as contained in the SMS Handbook.
2. Submission of financial disclosure forms by Directors-General
The compliance rate by the due date of 31 May 2012
of the 2011/2012 financial year in respect of
Directors-General (DGs) for national and provincial
departments were not satisfactory. As at 31 May
2012, of the fifty-two (52) DGs in national departments
and provincial administrations, only thirty-three (33)
submitted their financial disclosure forms by the due
date. The financial disclosure forms of 19 (37%) DGs
were outstanding by the due date. In three (3) cases
of the nineteen (19) outstanding forms, the DGs had
either been placed on special leave or suspended. This,
however, is not a valid reason for failure to submit
a financial disclosure form. These officials are
still subject to all the rules and regulations that
apply to the Public Service. The EAs have, therefore,
the responsibility of ensuring that the officials
concerned submit their financial disclosure forms.
The non-submission and late submission of disclosure
forms by DGs is a cause for concern. As Accounting
Officers, DGs and HoDs should set the standard for
ethical behaviour in departments. They should promote
transparency by, inter alia, submitting their financial
disclosure forms timeously and encourage officials
within their respective departments to do likewise. The
PSC would like to commend all DGs and HoDs who have
submitted their financial disclosure forms by the
due date.
- CONCLUSION
There has been a marked improvement
in the submission rate by the due date for the 2011/2012
financial year. This significant increase, although still
not satisfactory, could be attributed to the strategies
adopted by the PSC to assist departments in complying with
the regulatory requirement for EAs to submit financial disclosure
forms of SMS members within their respective departments by 31
May 2012. The PSC is, however, of the opinion that a 100%
submission rate by the due date could be achieved if there
is discipline among SMS members.
Issued by the Public Service Commission
For enquiries, please contact:
Mr Ricardo Mahlakanya; Deputy Director: External
Communication; Tel: 012- 352 1070; Cell: 079 769 7955;
Email:
ricardom@opsc.gov.za; or Mr Humphrey Ramafoko; Director:
Communication and Information Services; Tel: 012- 352 1196;
Cell: 082 782 1730; Email:
humphreyr@opsc.gov.za.
National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800
701 701
