SADTU URGES BASIC EDUCATION MINISTER SIVIWE GWARUBE TO STOP MANIPULATING DEPARTMENTAL RECRUITMENT PROCESSES
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) strongly condemns the abuse of power by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, in the Department’s recruitment processes. The Minister’s actions represent a blatant disregard for DPSA directives and the law.
SADTU has learned through media reports that the Minister allegedly attempted to alter the requirements of a job advertisement for a departmental spokesperson by adding a postgraduate qualification. However, officials did not include this requirement in the advertisement, and she only discovered the omission after candidates had already been shortlisted. It is further alleged that her ministerial staff submitted CVs after the closing date of the advertisement. This amounts to clear irregularity and reflects desperation to control both the political office and administration in violation of the PFMA and other directives.
The Minister’s conduct undermines lawful governance processes, established employment legislation, and collective agreements negotiated in good faith at the Public Service Co-Ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC). Furthermore, it threatens the integrity and credibility of recruitment in the public service.
The recruitment process in question was not defective. It fully complied with the Directive on Human Resource Management and Development for Public Service Professionalisation, which outlines the minimum qualifications and experience required for senior management service posts. HR officials were executing their duties in line with these directives, yet the Minister seeks to portray them as politically connected. Threatening staff with lifestyle audits while they are fulfilling their responsibilities in accordance with DPSA directives is shameful and must be rejected. Furthermore, the alleged use of sympathetic journalists to justify actions that undermine established directives is deeply embarrassing.
Let it be stated clearly: the Minister is the one who undermined public service directives and collective agreements, which she has no authority to change. Her interference appears
intended to exclude applicants who qualified in terms of DPSA directives and circulars. How can she accuse staff of failing to comply with her instructions when she herself has violated established directives? SADTU will not remain silent while employees are subjected to unlawful instructions.
Additionally, media reports suggest that the Minister attempted to influence key stages of the recruitment process, including the narrowing of candidates and the rejection of shortlists. She allegedly favoured an SABC journalist and a News24 journalist for the position.
The Minister’s conduct reflects the broader posture of her political party, the DA, which has consistently demonstrated hostility towards public servants and has openly advocated for drastic reductions in the public service wage bill. The party has repeatedly campaigned for changes in public employment policies under the guise of opposing cadre deployment and has challenged progressive labour legislation such as the Employment Equity Amendment Act.
SADTU will not stand by while political office bearers attempt to manipulate recruitment processes to serve narrow interests. Workers’ rights, fair recruitment practices, and the rule of law were secured through immense sacrifice and cannot be undermined.
SADTU calls on Minister Gwarube to immediately cease abusing her powers and to respect departmental recruitment processes and the legal framework governing public service appointments.
We also urge officials who have been intimidated or threatened to lay charges with the police and report the matter to the Public Service Commission. Employees must understand that the law is on their side and should not be intimidated.
Where is the Public Protector when officials are being intimidated by the Minister and her associates? What is the Public Protector waiting for?
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat