The Public Service Commission is an independent and impartial body created by the Constitution to enhance excellence in governance within the public service by promoting a professional and ethical environment and adding value to a public administration that is accountable, equitable, efficient, effective, corrupt-free and responsive to the needs of the people of South Africa.

MISSION

The Public Service Commission aims to promote the constitutionally enshrined democratic principles and values in the Public Service by investigating, monitoring, evaluating, communicating and reporting on public administration. Through research processes, it will ensure the promotion of excellence in governance and the delivery of affordable and sustainable quality services.

Guiding Values and principals

The Values and Principles of the Public Service Commission itself, includes

· High standard of professional ethics

· Efficient, economic and effective use of resources

· Good Human Resource Management and Career Development practices

· Broad respresentativeness of the South African people

· Employment and personnel practices based on ability, objective and fairness.

• Development orientated
• Impartial, Fair, equitable, without bias
• Responsive to People's needs
• Public participation in policy-making
• Accountability
• Transparency

Powers and Functions of the PSC

· To promote Constitutional Values and Principles in the Public Services (Sec 195)

· Investigate, Monitor and Evaluate application of organisation and administration and the personnel practices in the Public Service

· Propose measures to ensure effective and efficient performance within the Public Service including Service Delivery.

The Key Performance Areas of the PSC

Professional Ethics and Risk Management

Management and Service Delivery Improvement

Monitoring and Evaluation

· Human Resources Management

· Senior Management and Conditions of Service

· Special Investigations

· Institution Building.

Some of the key developments emanating from the PSCs Key Performance Areas includes:

· The Evaluation of the Heads of Departments

· Monitoring and Evaluation

· Processing of Grievances arid Complaints

· Establishment of Citizens Forums

· Anti-Corruption Programme

The PSC has, since its inception produced 55 quality reports. These include milestone reports such as:

· Verification of Qualifications of Senior Managers in the Public Service

· A Review of South Africa’s National Anti Corruption Agencies

· Management of Probationary Appointments in the Public Service

· Management of Leave in the Public Service

· The State of the Public Service Report 2001

· The State of the Public Service Report 2002 Management of Leave and Overtime: Correctional Services

All PSC reports can be accessed on the PSC website: www.psc.gov.za