PSC probe into DWYPD appointment complaint does not currently include minister or deputy

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has confirmed it is investigating a complaint alleging irregular filling of posts at the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), but said the scope of the probe does not currently extend to the minister or deputy minister.

What the PSC said

PSC spokesperson Zodwa Mtsweni confirmed the commission received a whistleblower complaint and that “The matter is currently under investigation. The PSC wishes to clarify that the scope of this investigation currently does not extend to the minister or deputy minister,” she said.

Mtsweni added that “the commission has appointed an investigative team and requests time to do its work unhindered. Upon completion of the investigation, a provisional report will be shared with the Director-General of the DWYPD, who will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the findings, if any, before the process is finalised.”

Allegations and the department’s response

The complaint, submitted to the PSC in March 2026, was reported to accuse Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and Deputy Minister Mmapaseka “Steve” Letsike of irregularly filling posts in their private offices and the department with friends and relatives.

The DWYPD issued a statement rejecting the claims. The department said the minister “categorically rejects these allegations as false and misleading” and emphasised that “The South African public service is governed by a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework designed to ensure that all appointments are conducted transparently, fairly and on merit.”

The department added that “The minister has neither interfered with nor directed any recruitment process to favour relatives or any other individual.”

DWYPD spokesperson Cassius Selala said: “The deputy minister and the minister both share the same sentiments outlined by the statement. Both welcome the said PSC investigation and commit to fully cooperating with the process.”

Parliamentary interest and calls for oversight

The Democratic Alliance’s Spokesperson on Women, Youth & People with Disabilities, Angel Khanyile, has written to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Liezl van der Merwe, requesting that the PSC appear before the committee to brief MPs on the probe.

Khanyile said these were “serious allegations that require urgent parliamentary oversight” and listed matters she said the department ought to be focused on, including “appalling rapes of children and youth, the continued scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, and the dysfunction within the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).”

Khanyile urged that “at the earliest opportunity, the PSC must brief Parliamentarians on the full allegations against the minister and deputy minister, as well as provide clarity on when the probe’s findings are expected.”

Next steps

The PSC said it has appointed an investigative team and will share a provisional report with the DWYPD Director-General, who will be given an opportunity to respond before the process is finalised. The PSC requested time to complete its work unhindered.