Public Service Commission in Kwazulu-Natal Releases an Overview Analysis of the Implementation of the Financial Disclosure Framework in KZN: Financial Year 2023/2024
21 November 2024
The Public Service Commission (PSC) in KwaZulu-Natal would like to congratulate the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Administration Executive leadership, Heads of Departments and all
members of the Senior Management Service for once again obtaining a 100% compliance rate on the submission of Financial Disclosure Forms by 31 May 2024. The 100% compliance
rate comes for the second year running which includes the 2022/2023 financial year. The province had not achieved 100% compliance in former years and the Public Service
Commission is indeed commending the efforts made all around, to raise the bar on this indicator of governance and transparency in the public service.
The integrated effort that was made by the Executive Authorities, the Heads of Departments, SMS Members and all Ethics Officers, working alongside the Public Service Commission
in KwaZulu-Natal, has certainly reaped the expected results. Out of thirteen (13) Provincial Departments, with 623 Senior Management Services Members, eleven (11) Executive Authorities (EAs)
responded positively to PSC’s scrutiny reports which included findings and recommendations. The departments that responded gave constructive feedback to the PSC and appreciated the working
relationship developed between their Offices and that of the Commission.
The two (2) provincial departments that are yet to respond to the PSC are:
- Department of Education, and
- Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Education had a finding of non-disclosure for the 2022/2023 financial year as well as for the 2023/2024 financial year. The Department of Agriculture had one (1) finding
cited for non-disclosure. In both instances these departments had not given any response on whether consultation was held with the relevant SMS Member, and/or if they acknowledge
the PSC’s report with its findings and recommendations.
The Financial Disclosure Framework (the Framework) was introduced to the South African Public Service in 1999 with the aim to prevent conflicts of interest by placing a legal requirement
on designated employees to disclose their financial interests. Through this Framework, all SMS members in the Public Service are required to disclose all their registrable interests
annually to their EAs by no later than 30 April of each year. The EAs are required to submit copies of those forms to the PSC by no later than 31 May of each year.
Accordingly, the PSC in KZN has compiled a report on the Implementation of the Financial Disclosure Framework for the 2023/2024 Financial Year. The Overview provides, amongst others,
the extent to which SMS members and EAs complied with the requirements to submit the financial disclosure forms by end of April and May, respectively; findings of the scrutiny that
was conducted on the financial disclosure forms received for the 2023/2024 financial year and to point out the extent to which SMS members are involved in activities that can be
interpreted as posing conflicts of interest; actions taken by EAs with regard to identified cases of potential conflicts of interest and non-compliance by SMS members with the
Framework; and recommendations for the proper management of conflicts of interest in the Public Service.
The report was shared with the Office of the Premier and all EAs and will be tabled at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature.
Commissioner Yasmin Bacus, the Resident Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, stated that the PSC is looking forward to this compliance rate being maintained through the 7th Administration
and has confidence that other critical matters of governance which contribute to building a capable, ethical and developmental state will be actively pursued by the new leadership.
Enquiries: Humphrey Ramafoko - 082 782 1730/ Zodwa Mtsweni - 076 554 8890
Issued by the Public Service Commission
National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701
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