A Critique of South Africa’s Quest for Accountable, Efficient and Effective Public Service

This chapter provides a critique of leadership accountability in South Africa. One of the cardinal issues in the APRM framework is the imperative of leadership accountability. The author reviewed previous reports on leadership accountability and efficient service delivery in the public sector. Despite government avowed commitment towards improved accountability, the South African state continues to be drenched in the state capture crisis. This chapter is shaped by one of the critical and identified APRM political governance objectives. Specifically, the chapter critiqued, the extent to which the South African state has and is ensuring its public office holders and civil servants are both accountable and efficient in the delivery of services. Thus, within the South African context, this chapter examines the key issues to improving public service accountability and efficiency. Furthermore, best practice was identified with a view of highlighting what works to enable sharing of insights with other African countries, but also, where challenges remain, these were analysed, and opportunities for practice improvement were spelt out in the form of recommendations offered. Thus, this chapter provides significant insights to strengthen the South African state’s ability to improve public service efficiency and accountability.