Parliament, Friday, 26 September 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration notes with grave concern the recent allegations reported in the media regarding the appointment of a 22-year-old as Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Social Development, without the requisite qualifications or experience.
The committee is also concerned about allegations that an advisor to the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, may have been double-dipping by drawing two salaries without declaring this. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Jan de Villiers, said the committee regards such conduct, if proven, as a serious breach of the principles of professionalism, accountability, and integrity that underpin the Public Service.
According to the National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service, staff appointed to political offices, including advisors, are required to complete the Nyukela pre-entry course and to undergo competency and integrity assessments within 60 days of appointment. The committee emphasises that tightening such requirements is central to advancing professionalisation and building a merit-based public service.
The Chairperson underlined the importance of creating a capable, efficient, ethical, and professional public service. He said this requires that the public service be staffed by men and women who are skilled, honest and professional. “The committee supports the establishment of a merit-based public service, as envisaged by the Government of National Unity (GNU). One that is free from nepotism, political interference and corruption,” he said.
In its oversight work, the committee has identified persistent challenges across government departments, primarily due to a lack of skills, competence, and professionalism. “All too often, individuals are appointed or promoted into key positions for which they are neither suitable nor qualified. Such practices undermine government performance and erode public trust,” the Chairperson said.
The committee also reiterates that double-dipping is a form of corruption that is incompatible with the values of transparency, integrity and accountability needed in the public service. The Chairperson stressed that such cases, if substantiated, strike at the core of professional and ethical governance. The committee will now approach the Public Service Commission to investigate these allegations urgently and to report its findings to Parliament.
The committee has also consistently raised concerns about the lack of uniformity in human resource management practices, particularly the continued reliance on manual data capturing, which compromises the integrity of personnel systems. This, the committee believes, enables fraudulent activities such as ghost workers and double-dipping. “All this drains state resources and undermines public confidence,” said the Chairperson.
The committee reaffirms its unequivocal support for a professional, ethical and merit-based public service, as reflected in the stated intentions of the GNU. It will monitor developments to ensure that there are consequences for wrongdoing, if proven, and that the credibility and integrity of the public service are safeguarded.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION, MR JAN DE VILLIERS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
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