01 Aug 2018

A government initiative on transfers has given married public officers the hope for rekindling and strengthening their relationships.

Through the initiative, couples have the opportunity to express interest to join their spouses.

Permanent Secretary to the President Mr Carter Morupisi explained in an interview that the initiative was not necessarily a transfer window for couples to join their families but would be effected bearing in mind Public Service General Orders provisions.

“In effecting transfers, the appointing authority should endeavour where practicable not to effect transfers which have the effect of separating spouses,” states the general orders.

Mr Morupisi said by October, government would start working on the rationalisation process and where it was practically possible, couples would be united.

He said he was currently engaging accounting officers to establish the  number of people affected.

“We want this exercise to be comprehensive, to be done with caution and without bias,” he said.

Mr Morupisi said part of President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s roadmap was recognition of the need for solid family foundations and protection of the noble institution of marriage.

“His Excellency believes in the value of families to promote unity and wants children to be raised by both parents where possible for proper upbringing,” he said.

He said living apart as a result of transfers proved difficult for couples as they had to maintain two homes which drained family resources. He said in some cases commuting was not an option because of finances or distance.

Even the unmarried would be allowed to make representations about their deployment including for overstaying in one station without valid reasons, critical medical grounds and genuine social problems that may necessitate transfers.

“We want to create harmony for them to provide service to the government without seemingly looking as if we want to punish them as some have already said.”

“We are applying compassionate consideration to everybody in the public service because some officers are of the idea that transfers are not done in good faith,” he said.

He also said transfers would be done across ministries where possible.

“We are going to transfer people where their services are needed and those that cannot be transferred will receive counselling,” he said.

He said he was aware of some unnecessary transfers of officers on B-band who were transferred without proper motivation and application of due diligence to their financial status that could allow commuting or paying frequent visits to their families.

However Mr Morupisi warned that a dispensation to join one’s family did not mean they would not be transferred in future. ENDS