Public Service Commission Bill: NCOP Call for Submissions

Posted 29 August 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Parliament

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has re-issued a call for written submissions on the Public Service Commission Bill [B16B-2023], following the Bill’s passage by the National Assembly on 18 March 2025.

In terms of a notice re-issued on 2 October 2025, the NCOP Select Committee on Co-operative Governance, Public Administration, Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation has set a final deadline of 17 October 2025 for public comment. This notice supersedes previous communications that cited deadlines of 31 August 2025 and 12 September 2025.

The Bill seeks to repeal the Public Service Commission Act, No. 46 of 1997. Its primary objective is to enhance the independence of the Commission and align its operations with the requirements of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Key provisions of the Bill include:

  • Establishing the Commission as a juristic person with the capacity to sue and be sued in its own name;
  • Regulating the appointment, terms of office, and conditions of service for commissioners;
  • Defining the powers and functions of the Commission regarding the investigation and monitoring of the public service; and
  • Providing for the appointment of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligation; however, legal professionals should monitor the transition from the 1997 Act to ensure accurate advice on public sector administrative law.
  • For your business: Firms providing advisory services to the public sector must review the Commission’s new status as a juristic person to assess how it impacts litigation and contractual engagements involving the Commission.
  • For your clients: Public sector clients and government departments must prepare for revised oversight procedures and potential changes to how the Commission handles grievances and investigations under the new legislative framework.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/public-service-commission-bill-ncop-committee-calls-for-submissions

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