27 Aug 2024

The absence of qualified individuals in leadership positions can affect service delivery within the public service in terms of provision of strategic direction, decision making and support, thus leading to possible inefficiencies.

This was said by Assistant Minister for State President, Honourable Boitumelo Gofhamodimo when answering a question in Parliament on Monday.

However, Honourable Gofhamodimo said measures such as acting appointments by qualified and capable officers had been put in place to ensure quality service delivery.

On the other hand, she acknowledged that shortage of specialised positions can impact the health and veterinary services and other specialised areas.

“We continuously endeavour to recruit for the professions expeditiously by making use of various initiatives which include succession management.

It is true that there is a shortage of qualified candidates locally in certain specialist positions such as medical specialists such as obstetrics and gynaecology, neuro surgery, anaesthesiology, among others, as well as veterinary surgeons in the Ministry of Agriculture,” she said.

She indicated that due to the demand of medical specialists across the globe, there was need to recruit citizens who may be outside of the public service and working in other countries and then follow with foreign nationals where citizens are not available.

“This means that there is no reluctance to consider foreign nationals in the recruitment of specialised positions. Even though there are vacancies, a number of Doctors are studying to specialise and they will occupy such positions,” she explained.

She stated that specialised ministries such as that of health participated in the recruitment of executive management positions as they identified and recommended potential candidates for appointment.

She indicated that the ministry had set up a team that focused on ensuring that positions were filled.

“The timeline for filling executive positions takes more than four months due to processes that need to be followed to ensure the right personnel is placed appropriately,” she said.

Meanwhile, Parliament heard that the total establishment for executive management in the public service stood at 1 518 out of which 1 151 were for E-band, which translated to 76 per cent and 367 were for F-band, translating to 24 per cent.

“It is worth noting that the appointing authority for recruitment of executive positions in State Owned Enterprises is the relevant minister for appointment of the CEO and the Board of

Directors for the rest of the executives. However, on that note there are 34 vacancies at the State Owned Enterprises,” Hon. Gofhamodimo said.

She added that there were 312 vacant executive management level positions across the public service, out of which 67, translating to 21 per cent, were at F-band and 255, constituting 79 per cent, at E-band.

“Out of these vacancies a total of 173 positions are currently being acted for. Twenty-six vacancies at F band are being acted for, while 147 are being acted for at E band. There are various reasons for these vacancies. Some reasons are, but not limited to, lack of appropriate skills and relevant depth of expertise in some areas,” she said.

Parliament heard that there were 31 positions which had been vacant for less than three months, which was 10 per cent of total vacancies whilst those that had been vacant for three months and more were 289, which was 90 per cent of the total vacancies.

“In filling the positions that are being acted for, acting candidates are ordinarily considered for appointment,” she said.

Kanye North MP, Mr Thapelo Letsholo, had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on the current status of positions at management level within government and parastatals that were under the purview of and appointed by the Permanent Secretary to The President (PSP) and steps taken to address any gaps in those key roles.

Mr Letsholo also asked the minister to state the total number of management positions within government and parastatals that were either vacant or temporarily acted upon, according to each ministry as well as the reasons for such vacancies. ENDS