THE government is exploring measures to further regulate the acceptance of gifts by civil servants, the Public Service Commission said
PSC director-general Richard Levin said there was an urgent need to address the contradictions and ambiguities in legislation relating to the receipt of gifts.
"There is a persisting argument that the issue of gifts from an Afro-centric perspective has grey areas," he told reporters.
"The (new) policy should incorporate all cultures and it should be fair."
He said under the public sector integrity management framework public servants were prohibited from accepting or soliciting any gifts, hospitality or benefits in return for performing or not performing their official duties.
In addition the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act prohibited the acceptance of gifts by public servants.
Levin said the regulatory frameworks were now being examined.
"At this stage there are inconsistencies (in the regulations) and people do not know whether to accept or turn down gifts," Levin said.
Research by the PSC in 2008 on the management and receipt of gifts revealed that most public servants were in favour of a new policy observing Afro-centric cultural practices.
The d eputy s peaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, said proper management and regulation of gifts was critical for effective administration of the public service.
"Public servants and representatives are called on to use their judgement to avoid situations of real or perceived conflict of interests. They must be educated and informed not to accept or solicit any gift or other personal benefits."
Irrespective of the monetary value of the gift, or unless the gift is cultural in nature, all gifts directed at a public official should be declared and registered to ensure transparency and rule out the possibility of corruption, Mthimkhulu said.
"Corruption knows neither rank nor status. A uniform regulation should therefore apply to all civil servants," he said. - Sapa
Bid to regulate gifts better
THE government is exploring measures to further regulate the acceptance of gifts by civil servants, the Public Service Commission said
PSC director-general Richard Levin said there was an urgent need to address the contradictions and ambiguities in legislation relating to the receipt of gifts.
"There is a persisting argument that the issue of gifts from an Afro-centric perspective has grey areas," he told reporters.
"The (new) policy should incorporate all cultures and it should be fair."
He said under the public sector integrity management framework public servants were prohibited from accepting or soliciting any gifts, hospitality or benefits in return for performing or not performing their official duties.
In addition the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act prohibited the acceptance of gifts by public servants.
Levin said the regulatory frameworks were now being examined.
"At this stage there are inconsistencies (in the regulations) and people do not know whether to accept or turn down gifts," Levin said.
Research by the PSC in 2008 on the management and receipt of gifts revealed that most public servants were in favour of a new policy observing Afro-centric cultural practices.
The d eputy s peaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, said proper management and regulation of gifts was critical for effective administration of the public service.
"Public servants and representatives are called on to use their judgement to avoid situations of real or perceived conflict of interests. They must be educated and informed not to accept or solicit any gift or other personal benefits."
Irrespective of the monetary value of the gift, or unless the gift is cultural in nature, all gifts directed at a public official should be declared and registered to ensure transparency and rule out the possibility of corruption, Mthimkhulu said.
"Corruption knows neither rank nor status. A uniform regulation should therefore apply to all civil servants," he said. - Sapa
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