Abstract
This paper explores the persistent non-implementation of recommendations by South
Africa’s Public Service Commission (PSC), constitutionally mandated to promote
accountability, ethical governance, and efficiency. Despite sustained oversight, PSC reports
from 2010–2024 highlight recurring governance failures across national and provincial
departments. The study examines whether this stems from PSC’s institutional weaknesses,
resistance from line ministries, or both. Guided by Institutional Theory, it argues that
entrenched organisational norms, bureaucratic inertia, and political-administrative
dynamics drive non-compliance. A qualitative content analysis of 40 PSC reports reveals
recurring barriers, including weak consequence management, poor financial controls,
fragmented leadership, and failure to institutionalise reform. Limited enforcement powers,
resource constraints, and overlapping mandates further weaken PSC’s impact. While
based solely on documentary analysis, the study reflects systemic administrative
shortcomings. It recommends legislative reforms to strengthen PSC authority—aligned
with the 2023 PSC Bill—and a renewed focus on accountability and leadership
development in line with the 2022 Professionalisation Framework. By narrowing the
analysis to the PSC’s institutional role, the paper deepens understanding of oversight
challenges and offers targeted governance reforms to address persistent implementation
failures in South Africa’s public administration.