The purpose of this article is to assess the influence of party politics on human resource practices in South African government departments. In terms of periodisation, primary focus is on the presidency of Jacob Zuma during the period 2011-2018. Focus is specicfially on what inuflence political ocfie bearers have on procedural and substantive fairness of dismissals in deafince of the right not to be unfairly dismissed or subjected to unfair labour practices, section 185(a) and (b) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA). More particularly, the study reflects on the Disciplinary Code and Procedures (Resolution 1 of 2003) of the public service in South Africa. Literature records a "significant number of decisions relating to the allegedly unlawful suspension of employees, usually public servants". The extent of influ ence of dismissal sanctions (verdicts) of the disciplinary hearings in the South African public service