Code of Conduct for Public Servants

This Handbook is the official policy that governs benefits and privileges, to which Members and their families are entitled, in the execution of their duties. It has been in effect is effective from 1 November 2010 and incorporates the Executive Code of Ethics, which regulates probity in public life. 

1. Purpose

The Code should act as a guideline to employees as to what is expected of them from an ethical point of view, both in their individual conduct and in their relationship with others. Compliance with the Code can be expected to enhance professionalism and help to ensure confidence in the Public Service.

The need exists to provide guidelines to employees with regard to their relationship with the legislature, political and executive office-bearers, other employees and the public and to indicate the spirit in which employees should perform their duties, what should be done to avoid conflicts of interests and what is expected of them in terms of their personal conduct in public and private life.

Although the Code of Conduct was drafted to be as comprehensive as possible, it doesn't provide a detailed standard of conduct. Heads of department are, in terms of section 7(3)(b) of the Act, inter alia responsible for the efficient management and administration of their departments and the maintenance of discipline.

They may therefore, after the matter has been consulted in the appropriate Chamber of the Public Service Bargaining Council, and without derogating from it, supplement the Code of Conduct provided for in this Chapter in order to provide for their unique circumstances. Heads of department should also ensure that their staff are acquainted with these measures, and that they accept and abide by them.

The primary purpose of the Code is a positive one, viz. to promote exemplary conduct. Notwithstanding this, an employee shall be guilty of misconduct in terms of Section 20 (t) of the Public Service Act, 1994, and may be dealt with in accordance with the relevant sections of the Act if he or she contravenes any provision of the Code of Conduct or fails to comply with any provision thereof.

3.1. The relationship with the Legislature and the Executive

An employee -

• is faithful to the Republic and honours the Constitution and abides thereby in the execution of his or her daily tasks;
• puts the public interest first in the execution of his or her duties;
• loyally executes the policies of the Government of the day in the performance of his or her official duties as contained in all statutory and other prescripts;
• strives to be familiar with and abides by all statutory and other instructions applicable to his or her conduct and duties; and
• co-operates with public institutions established under legislation and the Constitution in promoting the public interest.

3.2. The relationship with the public

An employee -

• promotes the unity and well-being of the South African nation in performing his or her official duties;
• will serve the public in an unbiased and impartial manner in order to create confidence in the Public Service;
• is polite, helpful and reasonably accessible in his or her dealings with the public, at all times treating members of the public as customers who are entitled to receive high standards of service;
• has regard for the circumstances and concerns of the public in performing his or her official duties and in the making of decisions affecting them;
• is committed through timely service to the development and upliftment of all South Africans;
• does not unfairly discriminate against any member of the public on account of race, gender, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political persuasion, conscience, belief, culture or language;
• doesn't abuse his or her position in the Public Service to promote or prejudice the interest of any political party or interest group;
• respects and protects every person's dignity and his or her rights as contained in the constitution; and
• recognises the public's right of access to information, excluding information that is specifically protected by law.

3.3. The relationship among employees

An employee -

• co-operates fully with other employees to advance the public interest;
• executes all reasonable instructions by persons officially assigned to give them, provided these aren't contrary to the provisions of the Constitution or any other law;
• refrains from favouring relatives and friends in work-related activities and never abuses his or her authority or influences another employee, nor is influenced to abuse his or her authority;
• uses the appropriate channels to air his or her grievances or to direct representations;
• is committed to the optimal development, motivation and utilisation of his or her staff and the promotion of sound labour and interpersonal relations;
• deals fairly, professionally and equitably with other employees, irrespective of race, gender, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political persuasion, conscience, belief, culture or language; and
• refrains from party political activities in the workplace.

3.4. The performance of duties

An employee -

• strives to achieve the objectives of his or her institution cost-effectively and in the public's interest;
• is creative in thought and in the execution of his or her duties, seeks innovative ways to solve problems and enhances effectiveness and efficiency within the context of the law;
• is punctual in the execution of his or her duties;
• executes his or her duties in a professional and competent manner;
• does not engage in any transaction or action that is in conflict with or infringes on the execution of his or her official duties;
• will recuse himself or herself from any official action or decision-making process which may result in improper personal gain, and this should be properly declared by the employee;
• accepts the responsibility to avail himself or herself of ongoing training and self-development throughout his or her career;
• is honest and accountable in dealing with public funds and uses the Public service's property and other resources effectively, efficiently, and only for authorised official purposes;
• promotes sound, efficient, effective, transparent and accountable administration;
• in the course of his or her official duties, shall report to the appropriate authorities, fraud, corruption, nepotism, mal-administration and any other act which constitutes an offence, or which is prejudicial to the public interest;
• gives honest and impartial advice, based on all available relevant information, to higher authority when asked for assistance of this kind; and
• honours the confidentiality of matters, documents and discussions, classified or implied as being confidential or secret.

3.5. The personal conduct and private interests

An employee -

• during official duties, dresses and behaves in a manner that enhances the reputation of the Public Service;
• acts responsibly as far as the use of alcoholic beverages or any other substance with an intoxicating effect is concerned;
• doesn't use his or her official position to obtain private gifts or benefits for himself or herself during the performance of his or her official duties nor does he or she accept any gifts or benefits when offered as these may be construed as bribes.
• doesn't use or disclose any official information for personal gain or the gain of others; and
• doesn't, without approval, undertake remunerative work outside his or her official duties or use office equipment for such work.

Read more about our Code of Conduct in the Provincial Ministerial Handbook.