Cabinet extends tenure of HODs to ten years

The Acting Minister of Public Service and Administration, Thulas Nxesi, says Cabinet has resolved to extend the tenure of Heads of Department (HODs) to 10 years.

Before this resolution was taken, the tenure of HODs has been five years.

This move will be subject to rigorous processes for recruitment, selection, training and development, performance management and reviews, and consequence management for non-compliance, Nxesi indicated.

Addressing media in Cape Town on Monday during the release of Cabinet approved National Framework Towards the Implementation of the Professionalization of the Public Sector, Nxesi said this decision is aimed at ensuring administrative stability in public sector institutions, which is critical to service delivery.

The framework provides that only qualified individuals be appointed into positions of authority.

The Minister revealed that Cabinet had approved the framework at its meeting of 19th October 2022. The document has been in development for two years and on 18 November 2020 Cabinet approved the publication of the draft Framework for public consultation.

“This is part of overall efforts to improve the retention of HODs and create stability at the HOD level, with the objective of improving capacity of government to deliver on public services,” he said.

Nxesi further stated that in order to stabilize the political-administrative interface challenges experienced, Cabinet has resolved that the Director-General in the Presidency be designated as Head of Public Administration (HOPA).

“In the provinces, this function will be designated to the Director-General in the Office of the Premier.

“The HOPA will assist the President and Premiers in the management of career incidents of Heads of Departments and serve as a mediation mechanism in order to stabilise the political-administration interface,” Nxesi added.