Mashatile: Political meddling crippling delivery
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has warned that political interference in government departments is crippling service delivery and driving away skilled professionals.
Mashatile spoke at a high-level roundtable with leaders from government, business, labour, academia and civil society on Friday. The aim was to tackle the disconnect between political decision-making and how the state delivers services.
The engagement formed part of efforts by the Human Resource Development Council, which Mashatile chairs, to professionalise the public service and align skills development with national priorities.
The discussions aimed to find practical solutions to improve governance, strengthen collaboration across sectors, and boost overall state performance.
Mashatile said instability at the top of government, especially the high turnover of directors-general and heads of department, is damaging institutional memory and weakening the state.
"We convene with the recognition that effective governance requires more than good intentions,it demands functional systems, clear accountability, and seamless coordination between those who set policy and those who implement it."
He warned that administrative instability and political meddling are undermining policy continuity and dampening morale.
"That political interference in administrative decisions across government and state-owned enterprises, particularly in appointments, procurement, and financial management, creates a precarious environment, making even our most qualified professionals hesitant to serve or unable to act with integrity."
Mashatile added that short-term thinking, weak performance systems, and poor coordination have left civil servants unable to fulfil constitutional mandates effectively.
"The net effect of all these institutional weaknesses erodes the trust of the people, undermines investor confidence, and compromises our standing in the international community as it perpetuates the perception of a failing state."
He emphasised that building a capable, ethical and developmental state depends on skilled managers,especially DGs and HoDs,who operate in a stable, rules-based environment.
"A developmental state requires effective public servants, strong institutions, and a commitment to tackling poverty and inequality.
“But none of this is possible without fixing the broken interface between politics and administration.”
Mashatile warned that South Africa cannot ignore the foundational issues holding back the state.
"Our ability to deliver on the promises of the Constitution, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, and the National Development Plan 2030 rests fundamentally on the capacity, stability and professionalism of our public service."
He acknowledged that challenges such as corruption, skills gaps, poor accountability, and the legacy of apartheid continue to hinder progress.
"If we’re honest with ourselves, the tensions and instability in the political-administrative interface remain a deep concern for both accounting officers and executive authorities.”
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