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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Mat South Bureau Chief
THE Public Service Commission has urged Government departments to digitise their processes to ensure effective service delivery.
In an interview after a meeting with Matabeleland South provincial heads in Gwanda on Monday, the deputy chairperson of the Public Service Commission Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni-Masuku said departments had to move away from manual processes which were time-consuming and hectic. She said this greatly inconveniences clients and workers.
The commission is rolling out fact-finding meetings across the country to identify areas where departments need to be capacitated to ensure the successful implementation of the devolution programme.
Dr Ndiweni-Masuku said Government departments have to transition to E-Government system which requires them to evolve.
“As departments we have to make use of ICTs. One way to avoid drowning in paperwork is to digitalise.
We need to change our manual records into electronic. Electronic systems have a great advantage as they are effective. They can also help to reduce certain expenses that come with manual system such as travelling from one district to the other in order to get information. If we have a common database where we upload our information our work will be easier,” she said.
“In the past we thought that ICTs were enablers but the Covid-19 period taught us that ICTs are not only enables but they are also drivers of processes. When there is human to human interaction chances of corruption are high but if there isn’t that opportunity a client will just interact with a Government platform.
We need to change our Government system to an E-Government system.”
She said the electronic system could not be implemented at once but it requires a process. Dr Ndiweni-
Masuku said Government departments have to start working on this transitional process. She said electronic systems were also key in improving service delivery.
“If our clients can access most services electronically it will not only reduce corruption but also improve on service delivery. Instead of travelling to offices to access some simple services clients can just log in.
A lot of inquiries can be dealt with electronically,” she said.
Also speaking during the same meeting, Public Service Commissioner Professor Carroll Themba Kombe said the commission has introduced the Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS) which seeks to improve the hiring system.
“This platform is there to avoid corruption in the sense that anyone who wants to get a job within Government can register themselves in the system. After registering one has to continue updating their information like a new level of education that has been attained or if that person has found employment.
When there is a vacancy the system identifies people that qualify for the job through a database and shortlists them and identifies people that will be called for interviews,” he said.
“It’s incumbent upon you to make sure that you have registered with the system and that you update. we will make an effort to make sure that we set up computer kiosks where civil servants can update their information. We urge the civil servants to adopt these modern trends.” — @DubeMatutu
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