Deployment of cadres hits public

PSC report looks into thorny issue

A new report by a civil servants watchdog has revealed how senior government employees have been left frustrated and dejected by the ANC’s cadre deployment policy.

According to a report by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the frustrations of top managers in government have caused service delivery to take a knock.

The report outlined worries of top managers over recruitment, retention and career paths in government.

“The cadre deployment has resulted in unintended consequences due to the marginalisation of competent people and appointment of HoDs [heads of department] with limited technical, management and leadership competencies,” the 54-page study said.

The report blamed cadre deployment for what it calls misalignment between expectations of political heads and strategic goals and objectives of departments.

“This leads to tensions between executive authorities [the political heads] and HoDs, which then affect the performance of HoDs and departments in general.”

Once this tension worsens, political heads begin to demand support from other officials below the HoD level, “leaving the HoD marginalised”.

“These practices do not just undermine the integrity of HoDs, but compromise service delivery and the integrity of the public service,” said the report.

Senior managers in government participated in a roundtable discussion the PSC organised as part of its study.

The colloquium heard from some managers that restructuring in departments was used for ulterior motives.

It was often a way to frustrate some managers and create posts for “trusted” or politically connected individuals, despite their lack of experience and skills.

In addition to the PSC’s round-table, 665 senior managers responded to the questionnaire, 507 being directors, 139 chiefs of staff and chief directors and 19 deputy directors-general.

A further 65 HoDs and 13 former HoDs were interviewed.

The Human Sciences Research Council also revealed in 2012 how cadre deployment was adversely affecting public services.

ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the party continued to support the policy.

“Cadre deployment is a worldwide practice by all political parties. It doesn’t mean incompetence.”

The PSC report proposed guaranteeing officials’ job security “when there is a change of government administration or reshuffling”.