10 Feb 2013

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi says he cannot consider elevating drivers who operate the public address (PA) system  to B3 salary scale.

He said that can only be done through the normal progression in terms of the scheme of service for drivers.

"I am aware of the arrangement made by the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) that light duty drivers who drive vehicles of 3 500 kg maximum weight and also operate a public address system were placed on B4 salary grade to compensate for their added responsibilities," he said.

He further said the special dispensation was communicated through savingram DP20/6/05 dated 27 April 1992.

The minister said under normal circumstances, drivers who did not carry this responsibility were employed and progressed in line with the requirements of the scheme of service for drivers.

He said it meant that drivers could progress from their B5 entry point up to the highest grade of B2 even if they did not perform PA duties as long as they possessed required qualifications and performed duties attached to their levels as outlined in the scheme of service for drivers.

He said in similar fashion to the consideration that was given for PA drivers, drivers for ministers, judges and permanent secretaries were graded at higher levels of B3 and B2 without being required to be in possession of heavy duty licences.

This, Mr Masisi said, was informed by an assessment and evaluation of the duties and responsibilities of this category of drivers which included matters of protocol and special assignments beyond the day to day duties of a driver in the public service.

Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraela Goya had asked the minister if he was aware of an arrangement made in the past to the effect that government rural employee drivers should be on B4 scale in recognition of the additional responsibility of being PA system operators.

He also asked the minister if he was aware that the DPSM elevated drivers who were hired on B5 to B4 after one year of service hence putting them on the same scale as those who operated the PA system.

He said the whole arrangement defeats the intention of recognising the role of those in rural areas and asked the minister if he will consider elevating rural area drivers to B3 scale so as to correct the anomaly created by DPSM. ENDS