SA’s public service: new laws aim to put competent people in charge and hold them to account

South Africa has been reforming its public service for decades, but corruption and inefficiency remain major issues. In September 2026, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption in the police and security forces highlighted the urgency for change. The Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Somadoda Fikeni, spoke about the culture of impunity in which officials benefit from public inconvenience.

The Public Service Commission Act was recently signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aiming to close accountability gaps. This law, along with the Public Service Amendment Act 9 of 2025 and the Public Administration Management Amendment Act 7 of 2025, completes a trio of public sector reforms. The new legislation alters rules regarding administrative authority, senior administrator accountability, public servant development, conflict of interest management, and constitutional value protection.

While laws alone cannot create a capable and developmental state, their impact depends on altering how authority is exercised, appointments are made, public servants are developed, and breaches of constitutional standards are addressed. The foundation for these laws lies in section 195 of the constitution, which emphasizes professional ethics, efficient use of public resources, and development-oriented administration.

Section 196 empowers the Public Service Commission to promote these values and principles throughout the public service, affecting all organs of state. The work of the late Stan Sangweni, who chaired the Public Service Commission from 1999 to 2009, significantly influenced the new laws. His tenure addressed issues like merit-based appointments, accountability, ethical conduct, and citizen oversight, which the new legislation builds upon.

The reforms aim to move administrative authority closer to accountable administrators, make senior appointments more professional, and strengthen public service development and integrity. Together, these laws signal a significant moment for governance in South Africa, addressing long-standing issues of inefficiency and corruption.