President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a new law giving the Public Service Commission (PSC) stronger powers to monitor government and investigate poor service delivery.

The PSC is an independent constitutional body that checks whether the public service is being run efficiently, professionally and ethically.

The new Public Service Commission Act extends the Commission’s work to include local government and public entities.

It can investigate problems with government administration and service delivery failures, and can require authorities to report back on progress in implementing its decisions.

People who obstruct the Commission while it is carrying out its work could face up to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to R50,000, or both.

The new law replaces the previous Public Service Commission Act of 1997.

Ramaphosa says the legislation should help improve public services and strengthen ethics among public servants.

“The new Public Service Commission Act should be welcomed by public servants and citizens alike as a means to improve the lives of all South Africans and to enable growth through ethical and efficient conduct in our public service. While the Public Service Commission is a critical enabler of improved public services, it is incumbent upon all public servants to honour citizens in line with the Batho Pele (People First) principles and to view their responsibilities as tools of transformation. The enactment of the Public Service Commission Act during our annual Public Service Month should inspire renewed pride and ethics in the public service.”