Give ‘fake’ civil servants amnesty, UDM tells Bhisho
MEMBERS of the UDM caucus at the Eastern Cape legislature are calling on premier Phumulo Masualle and the ANC government to give amnesty to all civil servants who declare they have fake qualifications.
This follows several recent exposés in weekend papers about high-profile South Africans alleged to have either forged their qualifications or accepted titles they did not earn.
The Sunday Times revealed that ANC veteran Pallo Jordan did not possess a PhD degree, which saw him resigning as a member of the ANC’s influential national executive committee.
UDM MPL Thando Mpulu said the matter was first discussed last month and similar discussions were being held across eight other legislatures as well as in parliament.
“This amnesty is a view of the UDM as a party. We are busy canvassing members of the public and we have also invited the premier to join hands. In our view, this is one of many ways that help the state clean up the system,” said Mpulu.
In a parliamentary response to the DA’s Bobby Stevenson in March, Masualle confirmed three cases in which Eastern Cape civil servants were found in possession of fake qualifications.
The ANC’s Bhisho caucus office had to reverse the appointment of a researcher in the chief whip’s office after it emerged the person did not have a matric certificate.
Masualle said at the time: “Disciplinary action is being taken against the three employees from the health department. Where necessary, other employees will be charged with misrepresentation, which is a dismissable offence.”
Mpulu said the proposal will be taken to the committees of higher education and public service commission in parliament.
“Legislatures where the UDM is represented are in agreement that this is the route we must take as a contribution towards dealing with this matter,” he added.
The former ANC Youth League leader kick-started the public debate in an open letter to Masualle, published on today’s opinion page.
The provincial DA has shot down the amnesty proposal, with legislature leader Athol Trollip saying the idea is “destined to die a still birth”.
Trollip blamed the fakers on the ANC policy of cadre deployment.
The head of monitoring and advocacy at the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM), Dr Ndodana Nleya, said attempts to stem the scourge of fake qualifications through amnesty should be treated with caution.
He said sacrificing justice for a higher good needed to be balanced against not allowing criminals off the hook scot-free.
“An amnesty or not taking action against those who are guilty of fraud also prejudices job applicants/persons that may be legible for promotion, and whose qualifications are in order, from appointment,” Nleya said.
“The demands of public office – including observance to a complex regulatory framework – requires persons with the necessary skills, experience and qualifications.
“Professionalising the public service requires that we hold people accountable – especially those who willfully break the law for private gain.”
He emphasised that the premier was not empowered by law to grant immunity for those found to have fraudulently misrepresented their qualifications. — zineg@dispatch.