As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering an ethical and accountable public service, I am pleased to provide an update on the progress we have made in discipline management across various government sectors. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has been implementing strategies aimed at improving the handling of disciplinary cases, ensuring that our public service operates at the highest standards of integrity.
Our mandate, derived from the Public Administration Management Act of 2014, focuses on enhancing ethics, integrity, and discipline within the public service. The 2023 Strategy on Discipline Management emphasizes three critical areas: legislation, implementation, and culture. We are working to improve existing legislation and establish uniform processes through directives and guidelines. Building capacity for proper implementation of these measures is also a priority, as is a stable and professional workplace culture.
One of the significant achievements has been the improvement in the finalization of disciplinary cases. Over the past year, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of cases resolved. For national departments, case finalizations rose from 3,245 in January 2023 to 9,867 by January 2025. Similarly, provincial administrations have also shown improvement, with cases finalized increasing from 5,749 to 8,202 in the same period. These figures reflect our commitment to addressing disciplinary matters efficiently.
We are also focusing on precautionary suspensions and their associated costs. Our data indicates that while the number of suspensions has fluctuated, we are actively working to limit their duration to reduce financial burdens on departments.
To tackle prolonged cases, we have intervened in various instances, resolving a notable percentage of them. In 2023, 52% of the cases we intervened in were successfully resolved. In 2024, we targeted senior management suspensions, with a resolution rate of 47%. This year, we are addressing overdue cases involving educators charged with inappropriate conduct, indicating our commitment to safeguarding our learners.
A significant highlight of our efforts is the review of the Disciplinary Code. This revised code introduces codified timeframes for disciplinary processes, clarifies the chairperson’s authority, and limits precautionary suspension periods to curb costs. Additionally, the implementation process has been simplified to enhance effectiveness. The draft of the reviewed Disciplinary Code is currently under negotiation at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), and we anticipate its adoption in the current financial year.
In conclusion, as we continue to address discipline management in the public service, our focus remains on improving processes, fostering a culture of accountability, and ensuring the highest ethical standards are upheld. Together, we can create a public service that truly reflects our commitment to integrity and excellence.
Advocate Matilda Shaku is the Director in the Technical Assistance Unit at the DPSA.
