Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on the Filling of Vacancies in Public Service Commission, dated 13 November 2003:

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, having noted the correspondence from the Presidency to the Speaker regarding the filling of vacancies in the Public Service Commission, referred to it, reports as follows:

The Committee has gone through a process of advertising and shortlisting candidates with a view to filling the five positions in the Public Service Commission.

The Committee has satisfied itself that due consideration was given to all the applicants in a fair and equitable manner, taking into cognisance the requirements stipulated in the advertisement and the broad strategic objective of the democratic government of ensuring fairness.

Furthermore, we have ensured that representativity is considered, notwithstanding the fact that this requirement should not be looked at mechanically, and we have arrived at the conclusion that the whole process was not in any way prejudicial or flawed. The Committee submits that all nine applicants were of the required specifications.

Having concluded the interviews, the following had to be considered:
(a)......... Continuity.
(b)......... Gender balance.
(c)......... Racial balance.
(d)......... Mixing experience with new blood.
(e)......... Skills and expertise.

The Committee therefore recommends the following persons to fill the respective vacancies in the Public Service Commission (endorsed by all political parties taking part in the process) for approval by the House:

1.......... Mrs Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko.
2.......... Mrs Koko Mokgalong.
3.......... Mr John Henry Ernstzen (Existing Commissioner), with effect from 1 January 2004.
4.......... Dr E G Bain (Existing Commissioner), with effect from 1 January 2004.
5.......... Prof S S Sangweni (Existing Commissioner), with effect from 1 July 2004.

Recommendations to be considered.