Civil servants may have to do tests
EASTERN Cape government employees may be required to write exams to test their competency.
The tests, if implemented, will aim to address the lack of management amid claims that ignorance is crippling the Bhisho administration.
The proposal was put forward by Younus Amod during the induction of a 44-member provincial audit committee yesterday.
“If they do not pass, that is reflected on their performance evaluation,” he said.
This comes after an official from the auditor-general’s office, Sandile Hlatshwayo, revealed that lack of consequences for management was having a negative effect on the audit outcomes in the province.
Acting education superintendentgeneral Ray Tywakadi said heads of departments should take responsibility in dealing with staffing issues.
Provincial Treasury senior official Qonda Kalimashe said the department would look into the proposal.
He said there were several factors to consider, including labour relations matters.
However, Guy Rich, a member of the Human Settlements Department’s audit committee, was not im- pressed, saying labour would challenge the move.
“Employees are not doing what they are intended to be doing. You can train people until you are blue in your face. If they do not want to apply what they are trained on at the workplace, they are not going to do it.
“They always see training as a stepping stone to get a senior government position. Good luck on getting past the unions,” Rich said.
Planning and Finance MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said the provincial fiscus was shrinking and the national government did not appreciate the province’s financial performance.