Cape Town - The Department of Public Service and Administration is nearing the finalisation of the restructuring of national government, says Minister Richard Baloyi.
"The changes have already been institutionalised within the system of government and only the finishing touches are required in most cases," said Baloyi.
The minister was speaking on Thursday during a Governance and Administration Cluster media briefing in Cape Town.
He said organisational structures for new and reconfigured departments have been developed, adding that most departments have already made requests for determinations to formalise the transfer of functions.
Asked on job description clashes between Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel and Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, he said the job descriptions have been developed and the ministers were looking at some of the overlapping duties off the two ministries.
The new administration had created new ministries and split others. A New Women, Children and People with Disabilities Ministry was created along with a planning commission and a monitoring, performance and evaluation unit - both based in the Presidency.
Education had been split into two which includes a basic and higher-education component. The former Minerals and Energy Department had been separated into a component that deals with mining, and another that focuses on energy.
Baloyi said there was a need for the reconstruction of the government structure. "The configuration of departments were guided by the need to improve service delivery, and to correct weaknesses that the people identified."
Meanwhile, on the implementation of Occupation Specific Dispensations (OSDs), Baloyi said they have been resolved for the most part.
"However, it has not been without challenges, in particular relating to correct interpretations and application of dispensations when implementation takes place.
He said the successful conclusion of the OSD negotiations and salary adjustments had "heralded a new and positive era" in the relationship between employer and unions.
He announced that a Public Sector Summit is planned for next year.
