Mafeteng, Sept. 16 –The Ministry of Public Service has started on a nationwide inspection of government departments to assess employee performance, the living conditions of government employees and the quality of public services.
Speaking at a gathering of government departments at the District Administration Office in Mafeteng on Wednesday, Minister of Public Service Mr. Moeketsi Motso’ane said the ministry is touring all districts to inspect, among other things, government employees performance and the services provided to the public.
Minister Mots’oane highlighted that the initiative follows long standing complaints from members of the public about poor service delivery in government institution.
He said the purpose of the visit was to understand the causes of poor performance in government departments and identify possible solutions. He said the ministry is questioning whether officials at all levels, from directors to junior employees, are performing their responsibilities effectively.
Mr. Motso’ane cited the provision of passport services as an example, saying the ministry had observed that passports were being issued at a police station in Teyateyaneng and at the District Administration Office in Mafeteng.
He also said such arrangements raise questions about whether government departments are carrying out their responsibilities properly or whether they indicate gaps in service delivery.
The minister further raised concerns about public servants who face difficulties accessing their long service benefits and pensions after retirement. He said some retirees are reportedly told during the process of accessing their pension benefits that they had been overpaid while they were still employed, sometimes leaving them with nothing to receive.
Mr. Motso’ane said such cases are distressing for retirees and reflect weaknesses in the administration of public services. He added that the financial difficulties faced by retirees sometimes cause excessive stress and have wider consequences, as the money they are entitled to would otherwise be used to support their families and contribute to the private sector and the economy.
The minister said on the other hand, the ministry also visited to inspect government employees’ residential houses to establish whether they are being properly used.
He said they heard that some government employees occupy more than one government house and rent out the other houses for income, while other employees do not have accommodation and are forced to rent elsewhere which is bad.
Ends/MMK
