By David Masango

The government will launch its gateway electronic service system in October, giving the public access to a range of services 24 hours a day via the Internet.

By setting up integrated one-stop service centres, the government will use the Gateway Project to deliver optimised service delivery, public participation and governance through technology such as the Internet and new media.

Cabinet said yesterday that the project would include the setting up of a call centre and mobile units. The programme would be rolled out at its Multipurpose Community Centres (MPCCs).

It will launch the Centane MPCC in East London tomorrow. This will be the 42nd such centre in South Africa.

During its three-day lekgotla last week, Cabinet examined the work being done on integrated governance and noted the progress that has been made in the preparation of a Bill on Integrated Governmental Relations.

It also looked at the introduction of the electronic Cabinet information system as well as the integration of Batho Pele into departmental planning.

The Cabinet also used the lekgotla to closely examine progress made on the implementation of public participation programmes such as imbizos, ward committees and the Integrated Development Programmes of municipalities.

Cabinet said in order to ensure better utilisation of personnel across the three spheres of government, time frames had been put in place to construct a single public service "In the first quarter of next year, mechanisms will have been finalised to allow for human resource transfers. Uniform conditions of service should be introduced in 2005, setting the stage for framework legislation," it said.

Cabinet said it had been briefed on the implementation of Resolution 7 on restructuring of the public service. Of the approximately 24 000 employees in excess, 70 percent were at the lower salary level. There were 15 000 vacancies, 80 percent of which were at skilled levels, especially in the health sector.

"It was agreed that special efforts would be put in place to recruit skilled personnel, while training the excess personnel in various areas so they could take up take up opportunities as they arise," the Cabinet said.

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