21 Jul 2015

The Department of Veterinary Services does have a D1 post, which is the chief scientific officer. Currently, there was one officer at the National Veterinary Laboratory (NVL) who was in D1.

Answering a question from the MP for Mahalapye West, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia further said the implementation of parallel progression elevated the positions of chief veterinary officer from D1 to E2, and that it created a gap in the veterinary surgeons progression.

He, however, said officers in the department continue to progress into D1 and E2 positions.

Minister Ralotsia further said he was also aware of the high turnover of staff in veterinary department particularly at the NVL.

He noted that was mainly because the NVL competes with emerging institutions of research and development which tend to remunerate better than the government.

Mr Ralotsia also said high attrition was among C-band officers who sight the reason for leaving as slow progression due to non-multiple titling of positions in the C-band.

That, he said, was being addressed through multiple titling/grading of posts which it was hoped would stabilise the situation.

He noted that generally officers in the public service were attracted to the private sector as it offered better conditions of service.

Minister Ralotsia also said the payment of scarce skills allowance to all cadres including artisans, technical, scientific and veterinarians at 40 per cent had improved the situation and even attracted candidates from the private sector.

To date, he said four veterinarians had joined the department of from the private sector,adding that although there was still a high turnover, the situation was better.

Mr Joseph Molefe had asked the minister if he was aware that the department of veterinary services did not have a D1 post, and if so, how did that affect progression in the department.

He had also asked why there was high turnover in the veterinary department, and how the government retention policy through the scarce skills allowance had helped to avert the situation. Ends