Public Service Commission
PSC
Summary
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a constitutional body established under Section 196 of the Constitution, 1996 and the Public Service Commission Act, 1997. It consists of 14 commissioners: five appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Assembly, and one from each of the nine provinces nominated by the Premier on recommendation of the provincial legislature. All commissioners are appointed by the President for five-year renewable terms. The PSC promotes the constitutional values governing public administration (Section 195), including high standards of professional ethics, impartiality, and accountability. It investigates public service ethics grievances, conducts integrity and lifestyle audits of public servants, and reports annually to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. Its recommendations are not binding but carry constitutional weight and are reported to Parliament.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Public Service Commission Act, 1997 (Act 46 of 1997); Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, s. 196
- Citation
- Act 46 of 1997; Const. 1996 s. 196
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All national and provincial public service departments and their employees; monitors and investigates public service ethics, integrity, grievances, and compliance with values and principles in Section 195 of the Constitution