Durban - Senior public servants who discuss ANC politics or do party work during office hours using government facilities, have been cautioned to stop or face the consequences because their actions were hindering the provision of services.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu and Public Service and Administration Minister Collins Chabane issued the warning during a management seminar in Durban on Thursday.
The two-day event, which ends on Friday, is aimed at opening discussion between the government and provincial department heads, chief financial officers and the heads of other government entities, on how best to deliver services.
“Administration, in my view, is not a terrain for political debate, neither is it a terrain for political practice,” Mchunu said.
He said public servants should use their working hours productively by providing services to people.
“If you want to discuss politics, in the case of the ruling party you have a branch in your home area. In the case of any other party, I’m sure you have something similar,” he said.
“I don’t say don’t support political programmes but… we would like civil servants who are principled and governed by principles.”
Agreeing with Mchunu, Chabane said if civil servants left politics out of their state duties the public would get the service they deserved.
“Do not debate politics in your office… leave politics to the MECs. They will do that part because that is what they are supposed to do,” said Chabane.
He said government managers should spend their time and energy studying government programmes and policies.
The Mercury