By Charmaine Ndlela
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has denied allegations that she influenced the appointment of relatives and associates to public service positions, describing the claims as “false and misleading” while welcoming an investigation by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Her response follows a Sunday Times report that Chikunga and her deputy, Steve Letsike, are under PSC investigation over allegations that posts in their private offices and the department were irregularly filled by friends and family members.
According to the report, the investigation stems from a whistleblower complaint submitted to the PSC in March 2026.
It alleges, among other things, that Chikunga attempted to secure the appointment of Zandile Mthembu as Chief Director for International Relations, Stakeholder and Capacity despite the candidate allegedly not meeting the minimum requirements for the post.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Chikunga rejected the allegations, saying she had never interfered in any recruitment process and that appointments in the public service are governed by legislation designed to ensure fairness, transparency and merit.
“The Minister has neither interfered with nor directed any recruitment process to favour relatives or any other individual. Any suggestion to the contrary is entirely unfounded and misrepresents both the facts and the legal framework governing public service appointments,” the department said.
The department said recruitment and appointments are regulated by the Public Service Act of 1994 and the Public Service Regulations of 2016, which require appointments to be based on merit, equity, fairness, transparency and candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post.
It added that recruitment processes are managed by accounting officers and relevant appointing authorities, not ministers, and include safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest, nepotism and undue political influence.
The statement also cited Section 195 of the Constitution, which requires public administration to uphold high standards of professional ethics, fairness, impartiality, accountability and transparency.
Chikunga said she remains committed to upholding the Constitution, respecting the independence of recruitment processes and maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the public service.
She welcomed the PSC investigation and pledged her full cooperation.
“The Department remains committed to transparency, ethical governance and compliance with all applicable legislation regulating public administration,” the statement said.
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