Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

In accordance with the Directive on the Implementation of Control Measures, issued by the Minister for Public Service and Administration on 1 October 2023, all posts had to be submitted for the Premier’s approval prior to initiating the recruitment and selection process. This requirement has introduced additional administrative steps, including: the preparation of detailed critical motivations, deliberations at top management meetings to identify posts deemed critical for filling, and final approval by the Premier. Further delays in the recruitment and selection process have arisen due to factors such as limited availability of panel members and talent officers, vetting procedures and competency assessments, the time required to provide feedback to panels on assessment outcomes, the requirement for Cabinet noting of Senior Management posts, with formal submissions only routed thereafter.

The Department is currently managing multiple concurrent recruitment processes for senior management positions. The volume of activities, coupled with the imperative to ensure compliance and thoroughness, has placed significant pressure on internal capacity and timelines. All appointments must align with broader strategic priorities and fiscal sustainability measures, as outlined in the Directive. This has necessitated additional internal consultations and prioritization, which may have contributed to delays in certain processes.

Status of Director-Level Recruitment Processes

•   Director: Service Delivery Integration – Interviews concluded on 31 July 2025, competency assessment feedback has been finalized and the nomination submission is being routed.

•   Director: Municipal Support and Capacity Building – Interviews concluded on
16 October 2025, competency assessment feedback has been finalized, and the process is awaiting the Cabinet notification.

•   Director: District and Local Performance Monitoring – Interviews concluded on 11 September 2025. The recruitment process continues with additional sourcing measures to identify suitable candidates.

Director-Level Appointments Finalized

• Director: Disaster Risk Reduction – Appointed with effect from 1 July 2025.

• Director: Disaster Operations – Appointed with effect from 1 June 2025.

• Director: Integrated Development Planning – Appointed with effect from 1 July 2025.

The Department remains committed to finalizing the remaining appointments as efficiently as possible, while ensuring full compliance with all governance and regulatory requirements.

10(b)  The vacancies of the positions Director: Service Delivery Integration, Director: Municipal Support and Capacity Building, and Director: District and Local Performance Monitoring have not adversely affected service delivery or departmental performance.

To ensure continuity and maintain operational standards, the Department appointed three officials to act in these positions. These acting appointments were made in terms of Section 32 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended), read with Regulation 63 and 71(8) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016, as amended.

The appointed officials were formally mandated to temporarily perform all functions, duties, and responsibilities associated with the vacant posts for the specified period. These acting arrangements are subject to continuous two-monthly satisfactory performance evaluation to ensure that service delivery and performance standards are upheld.

The officials have effectively managed the responsibilities of their respective directorates, thereby minimized disruptions and maintained the Department’s operational efficiency and service delivery commitments.

The Department remains focused on concluding the permanent appointments to further strengthen leadership stability and strategic execution.