7.—(1) If in any case the Public Service Commission considers that the public interest requires that a public officer should cease to exercise the powers and functions of his office instantly, the Public Service Commission may interdict the public officer from the exercise of the powers and functions of his office, provided that criminal proceedings or proceedings for his dismissal or reduction in rank are being contemplated.
(2) Subject to regulation 10(1), a public officer who has been interdicted may be allowed to receive such portion of the emoluments of his office for such period during the period of interdiction as the Public Service Commission shall think fit, or the Public Service Commission may order the withholding of his total emoluments.
(3) If the proceedings against a public officer do not result in the dismissal or other punishment of the public officer, he shall be entitled to the full amount of the emoluments which he would have received had he not been interdicted.
(4) If the punishment is other than dismissal, the public officer may be refunded such portion of the emoluments withheld as a result of his interdiction as the Public Service Commission shall think fit.