25 Feb 2020

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development says Directive No. 10 of 2001 did not introduce multiple grading and titling of positions, but rather reduced progression requirement from three to two years.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Monday, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) Directive No. 6 of 2008 directed ministries to advertise multiple graded C-band vacancies at entry level to accommodate the recruitment of graduates without experience.

He explained that for an employee to be considered for progression, a vacancy should exist, there must be good or satisfactory performance by the officer and the employee should possess the right qualifications as stipulated in the scheme of service.

Again, he said the employee should possess the right competencies for the vacant post.

Mr Kgafela said the ministry had adhered to the requirements of the above directives on multiple grading and titling of positions as well as on requirements of the scheme of service.

He said there was never a delay in implementing both directives.

The minister said the ministry undertook a restructuring exercise to be more efficient and effective and to better support other ministries to deal with contemporary issues of facilities management and build infrastructure.

That, he said resulted with creation of five departments to better undertake the ministry mandate.

Further, the minister explained that functions which were previously done by the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES) were spread across some of the departments.

He further explained that since the ministry implemented the directives, disbanding of DBES did not negatively affect progression of any employee.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi had asked the minister if he was aware that DPSM Directive No. 10 of 2001 was not implemented for some staff members of DBES stationed in Palapye and southern side of Dibete.

He asked the minister to give reasons for the delay in the implementation of the directive.

MP Ramogapi also wanted to know reasons for the DPSM’s failure to implement Directive No. 6 of 2001.

Also, he asked the minister if he was aware that DBES was being disbanded and some ministries like that of basic education had paid dues of affected staff. Ends