Fikeni Flags Political Leadership’s Unwillingness To Implement Government Policy

Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson Somadoda Fikeni has raised concerns about what he described as an apparent unwillingness among political leaders to implement governance policies, despite South Africa having extensive frameworks for ethical and accountable administration.

Fikeni made the remarks while testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday. The PSC is a Chapter 10 institution responsible for oversight of public administration.

He said the country had strong policies intended to promote ethical governance and effective administration, but that the existence of those policies did not necessarily translate into implementation.

Fikeni attributed part of the problem to what he described as political inefficiency and frequent changes in ministerial and acting positions.

Ministerial Turnover Can Delay Implementation

Fikeni said changes in political leadership could disrupt efforts to implement policies, particularly when a minister who supports a particular initiative leaves before the process is completed.

“I've been at the PSC over five years, and during that period, I think I've seen four ministers. So, sometimes the delay, you find this minister is enthusiastic about something - before you notice, the minister is gone.”

He presented leadership instability as one factor contributing to delays in putting governance policies into practice. Other evidence reported from his appearance has also focused on implementation and accountability within government departments.

Fikeni Raises Concern Over Policy Implementation

Fikeni said the problem went beyond delays caused by changes in leadership, arguing that in some instances there was an appearance of support for policy without a corresponding commitment to implementation.

“In fact, when I talk of the political economy of inefficiency, the unwillingness to implement, but the presentation of a facade that we want to implement, is exactly at the core of that political economy of inefficiency, where they say, ‘Okay, let them push, but we'll make sure that it doesn't work’."

The characterisation was presented by Fikeni as part of his explanation for what he called the “political economy of inefficiency”. It was his assessment of the implementation problem rather than an established finding that all political leaders deliberately obstruct policies.

Evidence Comes Amid Madlanga Inquiry

Fikeni's testimony concerns the PSC's role in promoting ethical conduct, professional standards and accountable governance in the public service. The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.

The PSC's constitutional mandate includes oversight of public administration, while the commission's proceedings have examined wider questions around governance, accountability and interference in state institutions.

Fikeni's evidence therefore placed policy implementation and leadership stability within the broader governance issues being considered by the inquiry.