On the final day of “The Role of Oversight and Compliance Bodies in State Capacity”, 19 November 2024, delegates recognised the critical role that oversight bodies such as the Public Protector South Africa continue to play in supporting democracy and the developmental mandates of state institutions.

Attended by a broad spectrum of people from public, private and civil society sectors, the delegates adopted a Conference Declaration that not only reaffirmed the role of oversight bodies and institutions supporting democracy, but it also mapped out specific ways in which these entities could be strengthened.

Through the Conference Declaration, participants committed themselves and their institutions to resolutions covering the following areas:

  • Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms
  • Strengthening democratic Institutions
  • Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
  • Supporting Capacity Building
  • Addressing Corruption and Maladministration

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Director-General, Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, whose department hosted the conference with the Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) along with the European Union (EU), had earlier participated in a panel discussion focusing on Building State Capacity through Oversight Measures.

According to the DG Ms Makhasi, issues of oversight and compliance should be integral to the government’s planning processes in line with the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, which expresses national objectives and aspirations.

“However, the success of these initiatives hinges on effective oversight and compliance. We must recognize oversight not merely as a bureaucratic requirement but as a fundamental element in achieving our service delivery and accountability goals,” said the DPSA Director-General.

Also framing the discussions leading to the adoption of the Conference Declaration were inputs from the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Thoko Didiza, the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batoni, the Auditor General of South Africa, Ms Tsakani Maluleke and the former Public Protector, Professor Thuli Madonsela, among other high-level participants.