A task team will be set up to tackle the establishment of new departments in government, public service and administration minister Collins Chabane said on Thursday.
Addressing a media briefing before delivering his budget vote in parliament, Chabane rejected media reports that new departments would further bloat the public service.
“It is important that we deal with recent media articles about the quality of service delivery versus what is perceived to be a bloated public service,” Chabane said.
“These articles have been somewhat mischievously linked to the establishment of new departments and ministries.”
In May, President Jacob Zuma announced a recongifured cabinet, which included several new ministries. The department of communications was split in two, creating a new department of communications housing the SABC, government communications arm GCIS and other entities, and a new department of telecommunications and postal services.
Chabane said a task team would be best placed to deal with the establishment of the new departments.
“We will do our utmost to ensure that the creation and resourcing of these departments is done in an accountable manner,” he said.
The newly established departments would absorb units doing related work from other departments, where necessary.
“However, where certain professional skills and experience are required we will create the necessary space for departments to source in high quality people to fill those posts,” said Chabane.
“This process will ensure that money is spent on actual service delivery as opposed to adding to our wage bill.” — Sapa
