DISCUSSIONS on irregular and unauthorised spending, accountability and record keeping were some of the topics under the spotlight during the KZN Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) hearings in Richards Bay this week.
As part of its responsibility to ensure legitimate spending of public funds, SCOPA for KwaZulu Natal held its hearings on the 2012/2013 reports of the Auditor General on the Departments of Education and Social Development.
Held at the City of uMhlathuze Municipality Auditorium on Tuesday, this was part of the provincial SCOPA’s commitment to interact with the local Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC) .
The two departments were responding with action plans to address their shortcomings on the AG report.
In her remarks, Minister of Social Development Wesiwe Thusi said the report of the Auditor General’s action plan will be attached to managers’ performance agreements and action will be taken against management who do not comply.
Welcoming the SCOPA hearing in the district, uThungulu District MPAC Chairperson Nellenie Naidoo said local and district municipal councillors and leadership participated in the session.
‘Input was added on how departments can become more compliant and efficient with the departments presenting how tighter controls will be implemented to monitor their operations.
‘The Auditor General identified shortcomings of these two departments and their action plans aimed to close the gap on these shortfalls in future.
‘Concerns were raised around accountability, value for money and human resources matters of leave and record keeping and the tightening up on processes and systems.
‘The discussions were vital to capacitate staff to do their work effectively and efficiently, to assist, support and to coordinate their actions in ensuring that clean audits are achievable and clean administration beyond 2014,’ she said.
