This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
The Citizen reports that Gauteng premier David Makhura’s promise to subject all members of the provincial executive council to polygraphs for full security clearance to ensure their “integrity” has been dismissed as a “scare tactic” by a legal expert.
According to Makhura, polygraph tests are in line with the lifestyle audits conducted by the State Security Agency (SSA). All MECs have already complied and cooperated with the SSA during the first phase lifestyle audits. Makhura indicated about the second phase: “The polygraph test is a gold standard for us. We plan to set a precedent where, even when people have been appointed to positions, [they] should undergo this process. We are not aware what the polygraph questions will be. It is science. It is already a policy of the department of public service and administration. A polygraph test is done by state security to check the consistency of responses.” However, advocate Mannie Witz said polygraph tests were just a “scare tactic”, which could not be used against someone in a court of law. Witz pointed out that if a polygraph test was conducted following lifestyle audits, it would only determine correspondence or not with the type of question asked. “Polygraph tests are done to pick up a reaction following a question. It will not give you the exact answer. It is an indication but not conclusive proof,” he noted. Democratic Alliance Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga questioned that Makhura would not say which MECs had undertaken lifestyle audits and had been found wanting. According to Msimanga, the exercise could simply be a public relations stunt. According to Makhura, lifestyle audits would also be introduced for all managers of departments and not just senior managers. The provincial government would prioritise those “who enjoy the biggest slice of the budget”.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at The Citizen
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page