- The PSC recorded 300 grievances by the end of September 2025, including 112 carried over from the previous financial year.
- Just over half were concluded, with only 13 substantiated and 80 closed for procedural reasons, such as withdrawal or referral to external forums.
- The findings were released during a Pretoria media briefing on 10 November 2025, where the PSC also announced an investigation into alleged irregular appointments.
When public servants lodge grievances, they expect fairness, accountability, and timely resolution. However, the latest bulletin from the Public Service Commission (PSC), released on 10 November 2025, reveals a worrying trend.
Of the 300 grievances registered by 30 September 2025, only half were resolved, while the other half remain open. The PSC’s records show 112 cases carried over from the previous financial year. Of the 151 cases resolved, only 13 were substantiated, 37 were found unsubstantiated, and four were partially substantiated.
An additional 17 were resolved by departments after PSC intervention. The remaining 80 were closed due to procedural reasons, such as being withdrawn, resolved elsewhere, or pending with bargaining councils, the CCMA, or courts.
Resolution timelines met by investigators but not departments
PSC investigators concluded 130 of 144 grievances from employees at salary levels 2 to 12 within the 150-day benchmark. For Senior Management Service (SMS) members, six of the seven resolved cases met this timeline. However, this efficiency is not consistent across all departments.
“Poor compliance with the timeframes outlined in Resolution 14 of 2002 and Chapter 10 of the SMS Handbook continues to be a problem,” the PSC noted. The Commission is working with departments to address these delays, which undermine the credibility of the grievance system and erode trust in internal processes.
Nature of grievances reveals systemic strain
The types of grievances highlight persistent administrative problems. Of the 300 cases, 128 were about unfair treatment, 43 about application refusals, 46 about performance management, 40 about post-filling disputes, 36 about salary issues, and seven about disciplinary matters. These figures suggest that many grievances stem from inconsistent HR practices, poor communication, and unresolved procedural gaps.
As the PSC continues to monitor and intervene, the unresolved grievances serve as an ongoing test of departmental accountability. The Commission’s mission to uphold constitutional values and ensure effective public administration depends not only on its diligence but also on the responsiveness of the departments it oversees.
PSC investigation into irregular appointment
Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya said the quarterly briefing followed the PSC’s Plenary meeting held from 29 to 31 October. This is the Commission’s top decision-making forum, convened quarterly to review progress and set priorities for the months ahead.
Gxoyiya noted that the plenary occurred shortly after media reports surfaced about irregular appointments of a Private Secretary to the Minister of Social Development. This was followed by her promotion to Chief of Staff without meeting the required qualifications for either post. In response, the PSC began an investigation to verify the claims and provide guidance to the department.
“The investigation was initiated based on the PSC’s mandate as outlined in Section 196(4)(f)(iv) of the Constitution,” Gxoyiya stated. “This section requires the Commission to advise national and provincial organs of state on personnel practices within the public service.”
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