Parliament, Tuesday 06 June 2023 – The National Assembly has, during its sitting today, recommended Mr Errol Vincent Magerman for appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa to serve as a Commissioner on the Public Service Commission - in terms of section 196(8)(a) of the Constitution.
The Public Service Commission is an independent institution established in terms of Chapter 10 of the Constitution, 1996. It derives its mandate from section 196 of the Constitution, which sets out the values and principles governing public administration. According to Section 196 (10) of the Constitution, “a Commissioner is appointed for a term of five years, which is renewable for one additional term.”
In terms of the Public Service Commission Act of 1997, once appointed “a Commissioner shall not hold office in any political party or political organisation. A commissioner shall not, without the consent of the President, perform or engage himself or herself to perform any remunerative work outside the duties of his or her office.” This provision of the Public Service Commission Act of 1997 ensures that the Commission remains independent and impartial from any political influence.
The NA also approved, in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996, the amendment of Article 20 (1) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women proposes the replacement of the words ‘normally meet for a period of not more than two weeks annually in order’ the words ‘meet annually for a period necessary’. The approval of the amendment is in line with section 231(2) of the Constitution Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996.
The Agreement Amending the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, on the other hand, requires State Parties to enact and adopt appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to ensure that women and men enjoy equal rights in marriage and are regarded as equal partners in marriage.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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