The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has revealed that nearly 300 public service employees are serving as municipal councillors across the country – contrary to the rules.
“Of the 281 public service employees employed as municipal councillors, 30 public service employees are from national departments and 251 are from provincial departments,” the DPSA said at the weekend.
“The employees who are currently serving as part-time councillors, and who do not have approval for ORW [other remunerative work], are in contravention of sections 36(4) and 30 of the Public Service Act (PSA), as well as the Directive.
“The employees who are currently elected as full-time municipal councillors should have resigned from the public service as provided in section 36(2) of the PSA.
“If they have not resigned, then their employment in the public service should be terminated based on the said provision.”‘
The DPSA said it was working with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to determine whether applicable legal prescripts have been complied with, regarding the affected employees.
