PSC chair Somadoda Fikeni warns job fears leave officials vulnerable to political pressure - IOL

Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson Somadoda Fikeni testified at the Madlanga Commission on Friday.

Public Service Commission (PSC) chairperson Somadoda Fikeni has warned that government officials who fear losing their jobs can become vulnerable to political pressure, saying there should be vetting of frontline officials across the criminal justice system.

Fikeni testified at the Madlanga Commission on Friday, where he was questioned about how officials should deal with the threat of career or professional victimisation when confronted with political pressure.

He said stronger legislation was needed to protect public servants facing interference, particularly those who may be pressured to follow unlawful instructions.

“I do think that if we were to strengthen legislation protecting employees who are facing the pressures and political interference, that would be key,” Fikeni said.

His testimony placed the protection of officials at the centre of a wider debate about accountability, political oversight and the implementation of government policy.

Fikeni said clearer rules defining political and administrative responsibilities, greater public vigilance over unlawful instructions and stronger oversight could help limit political interference.

He also pointed to coalition government arrangements as another potential layer of accountability, arguing that officials and ministers could face scrutiny from political actors outside their own parties.

But Fikeni stressed that legal protections would not be enough.

He said whistleblower safeguards, protected disclosures and intensive training were also necessary to ensure officials understood their obligations when confronted with potentially unlawful demands.

The commission is separately examining whether frontline officials should face greater scrutiny through vetting.

Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale told the commission on Thursday that junior prison officers should be vetted.

Fikeni backed the broader principle, saying frontline personnel across the criminal justice system should also be subjected to scrutiny.

He linked the vulnerability of lower-ranking officials to South Africa’s deep inequality and their exposure to financial inducements.

“If you have a society which is the most unequal in the world, you're bound to have people who are at lower levels a lot more vulnerable to be enticed,” he said.

Fikeni said improving officials’ conditions of service should form part of the response.