Standardise and professionalise the appointment of senior officials in local government.
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Individual Reform: Standardise and professionalise the appointment of senior officials in local government. 2026 - 2027

Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.

No data available for the deliverable: Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.

No data available for the deliverable: Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.

No data available for the deliverable: Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.

No data available for the deliverable: Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.

No data available for the deliverable: Extend oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to local government.

Summary

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will now be assigned more legislative teeth to oversee and professionalise the public service in local government. Previously, the focus was at national and provincial governments. This expanded mandate will see the commission playing a more active role in monitoring and regulating personnel practices and organisational structures within local government.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Work in progress as the bill is undergoing the legislative process. However, the PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased workload and complexity of this sphere of government (local government). Local governments also have diverse and complex administrative structures and service delivery challenges that differ from national and provincial governments.

Actions

The related bill is being processed in parliament. The PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased responsibiities.

Are there plans?

The Public Service Commission Amendment Bill, which enables this new role for the PSC, has to be enacted. The bill is now awaiting concurrence from the NCOP before it can be sent to the president for assent and enactment. We expect the bill to be signed into law before the end of 2025.

Is it on the agenda?

Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

Goals

To improve quality of public services particularly in financial management and to improve accountability.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department of Public Service and Administration Public Service Commission

Summary

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will now be assigned more legislative teeth to oversee and professionalise the public service in local government. Previously, the focus was at national and provincial governments. This expanded mandate will see the commission playing a more active role in monitoring and regulating personnel practices and organisational structures within local government.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Work in progress as the bill is undergoing the legislative process. However, the PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased workload and complexity of this sphere of government (local government). Local governments also have diverse and complex administrative structures and service delivery challenges that differ from national and provincial governments.

Actions

The related bill is being processed in parliament. The PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased responsibilities.

Are there plans?

The Public Service Commission Amendment Bill, which enables this new role for the PSC, has to be enacted. The bill is now awaiting concurrence from the NCOP before it can be sent to the president for assent and enactment. We expect the bill to be signed into law in early 2026.

Is it on the agenda?

Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

Goals

To improve quality of public services in local government, particularly in financial management and to improve accountability.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department of Public Service and Administration Public Service Commission

Summary

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will now be assigned more legislative teeth to oversee and professionalise the public service in local government. Previously, the focus was at national and provincial governments. This expanded mandate will see the commission playing a more active role in monitoring and regulating personnel practices and organisational structures within local government.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Work in progress as the bill is undergoing the legislative process. However, the PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased workload and complexity of this sphere of government (local government). Local governments also have diverse and complex administrative structures and service delivery challenges that differ from national and provincial governments.

Actions

The related bill is being processed in parliament. The PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased responsibilities.

Are there plans?

The Public Service Commission Amendment Bill, which enables this new role for the PSC, has to be enacted. The bill is now awaiting concurrence from the NCOP before it can be sent to the president for assent and enactment. We expect the bill to be signed into law in early 2026.

Is it on the agenda?

Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

Goals

To improve quality of public services in local government, particularly in financial management and to improve accountability.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department of Public Service and Administration Public Service Commission

Summary

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will now be assigned more legislative teeth to oversee and professionalise the public service in local government. Previously, the focus was at national and provincial governments. This expanded mandate will see the commission playing a more active role in monitoring and regulating personnel practices and organisational structures within local government.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Work in progress as the bill is undergoing the legislative process. However, the PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased workload and complexity of this sphere of government (local government). Local governments also have diverse and complex administrative structures and service delivery challenges that differ from national and provincial governments.

Actions

The related bill is being processed in parliament. The PSC will require additional resources, training and capacity building to handle the increased responsibilities.

Are there plans?

The Public Service Commission Amendment Bill, which enables this new role for the PSC, has to be enacted. The bill is now awaiting concurrence from the NCOP before it can be sent to the president for assent and enactment. We expect the bill to be signed into law in early 2026.

Is it on the agenda?

Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

Goals

To improve quality of public services in local government, particularly in financial management and to improve accountability.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department of Public Service and Administration Public Service Commission

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: in-progress
Last Updated:
Next Update:
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    Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.

    No data available for the deliverable: Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.

    No data available for the deliverable: Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.

    No data available for the deliverable: Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.

    No data available for the deliverable: Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.

    No data available for the deliverable: Undertake an audit of municipal managers and CFOs to assess compliance with standards.

    Summary

    National Treasury is expected to play a role in the appointment of senior positions, enhancing the enforcement of the Municipal Minimum Competency Standards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve financial management and governance within municipalities. However, NT has not yet issued a specific public clarification on the new measures to be undertaken for auditing municipal managers and CFOs. Further clarity may be expected from Operation Vulindlela or National Treasury.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    National Treasury has not yet issued new audit procedures.

    Actions

    No actions yet.

    Are there plans?

    • Necessary steps are yet to be announced. • Details of Operation Vulindlela's role still to come.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

    Goals

    Driven by National Treasury, the aim is to build competent, accountable and well-resourced municipal administrations that can effectively plan, manage and deliver essential services.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    National Treasury

    Summary

    National Treasury is expected to play a role in the appointment of senior positions, enhancing the enforcement of the Municipal Minimum Competency Standards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve financial management and governance within municipalities. However, NT has not yet issued a specific public clarification on the new measures to be undertaken for auditing municipal managers and CFOs. Further clarity may be expected from Operation Vulindlela or National Treasury.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Not yet, National Treasury has not yet issued new audit procedures.

    Actions

    No actions yet as of December 2025

    Are there plans?

    • Necessary steps are yet to be announced. • Details of Operation Vulindlela's role still to come.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

    Goals

    Driven by National Treasury, the aim is to build competent, accountable and well-resourced municipal administrations that can effectively plan, manage and deliver essential services.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    National Treasury

    Summary

    National Treasury is expected to play a role in the appointment of senior positions, enhancing the enforcement of the Municipal Minimum Competency Standards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve financial management and governance within municipalities. However, NT has not yet issued a specific public clarification on the new measures to be undertaken for auditing municipal managers and CFOs. Further clarity may be expected from Operation Vulindlela or National Treasury.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Not yet, National Treasury has not yet issued new audit procedures.

    Actions

    No actions yet as of December 2025

    Are there plans?

    • Necessary steps are yet to be announced. • Details of Operation Vulindlela's role still to come.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

    Goals

    Driven by National Treasury, the aim is to build competent, accountable and well-resourced municipal administrations that can effectively plan, manage and deliver essential services.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    National Treasury

    Summary

    National Treasury is expected to play a role in the appointment of senior positions, enhancing the enforcement of the Municipal Minimum Competency Standards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve financial management and governance within municipalities. However, NT has not yet issued a specific public clarification on the new measures to be undertaken for auditing municipal managers and CFOs. Further clarity may be expected from Operation Vulindlela or National Treasury.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Not yet, National Treasury has not yet issued new audit procedures.

    Actions

    No actions yet as of December 2025

    Are there plans?

    • Necessary steps are yet to be announced. • Details of Operation Vulindlela's role still to come.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Falls under the Operation Vulindlela Phase 2 agenda.

    Goals

    Driven by National Treasury, the aim is to build competent, accountable and well-resourced municipal administrations that can effectively plan, manage and deliver essential services.

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    National Treasury

    Analyst: Thabani Madlala
    Status: in-progress
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    Got an Update? Follow this reform
    Reform Area:
    Reform:

      If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.