Naledi Pandor's appointment as home affairs minister has been largely welcomed by public sector stakeholders.
Pandor will now be charged with important IT projects that are currently under way at the department, including Who Am I Online and the Smart ID Card.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also welcomes her appointment, and shadow home affairs minister Manny de Freitas says the new minister has five priorities to get the department in order.
The first is that she should continue the efforts initiated by former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in transforming the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
De Freitas says this includes the completion of the applications turnaround effort to ensure that the process becomes effective and efficient, as well as improving the overall professionalism of its operations.
Secondly, Pandor should address human rights abuses taking place at centres where refugees and asylum seekers are attempting to legally enter the country.
"Reports from human rights organisations...indicate that gross human rights violations take place at these centres to the extent that the department is failing to fulfil its core mandate of administering the asylum system," says the shadow minister.
processes
The third priority for Pandor is to appoint personnel based on skills and abilities rather than on political affiliation.
She must also ensure that officials are accountable, follow legislation and implement decisions made by the courts.
"At present, home affairs demonstrates a general disregard for orders made by the courts and institutions such as the public protector. The problem originates because legislation is not always followed, resulting in applicants turning to the courts to have matters resolved. Disregard for the judicial process is so great that even when applicants have obtained court orders, the department is loath to rectify its actions, as illustrated by its recent failure to reopen the Cape Town Refugee Centre to newly arrived asylum seekers."
Lastly, the DA says Pandor must improve the ease with which applications for official documents are made.
"Processes should be automated wherever possible so that members of the public are able to print standard forms for completion and track applications online without having to visit home affairs offices."
Vibrant innovation
The African National Congress welcomed Pandor's appointment, as well as that of Derek Hanekom as minister of science and technology, taking over Pandor's previous role.
"We believe that both ministers, owing to their service in government, have capacity and experience to make a positive difference in their new appointments. The ANC believes that the appointments will strengthen the Cabinet collective as it confronts the challenges of development and service delivery."
The Department of Science and Technology thanked Pandor for her leadership and for steering the department towards a renewed vision in building a vibrant national system of innovation.
It also welcomes the appointment of Hanekom as minister.
DST director-general Phil Mjwara says Pandor stimulated great enthusiasm for science and technology, and was an important factor in South Africa's successful bid to host the Square Kilometre Array.
Confident appointment
President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday announced that science and technology minister Pandor will take over home affairs.
"I congratulate Ms Pandor and Mr Hanekom on their appointments. They have distinguished themselves in their current portfolios and I am confident that they will do exceptionally well in their new responsibilities as well. I wish them all the best," said Zuma.
Former home affairs minister Dlamini-Zuma resigned from her position after being elected chairperson of the African Union Commission.
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