Auditor-General's office is exercising powers to address material irregularities
In parliament on Friday the Auditor-General highlighted how the failure to complete public facilities and the abuse of public resources negatively impacted South Africans.
Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke. Picture: @tpayay/X.
CAPE TOWN - Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke said her office is exercising its new powers to address material irregularities by national and provincial departments citing that they are causing "substantial harm" to the general public.
In Parliament on Friday Maluleke highlighted how the failure to complete public facilities and the abuse of public resources have negatively impacted South Africans.
Tsakani Maluleke gave the standing committee on the Auditor General a report back on how it implemented new powers when it comes to addressing material irregularities.
An example of material irregularities is how the North West Department of Health’s Jouberton Community Health Centre in Klerksdorp was completed in July 2019, but only started being utilised in May 2021.
She said anything that results in a financial loss is a material irregularity, including instances of fraud.
"In three instances we’ve highlighted material irregularities where we believe are resulting in causing substantial harm to the general public. We’ve also highlighted 14 where in our assessment were resulting in substantial harm to public sector institutions."
She said these powers are being implemented to address material irregularities in national and provincial departments and have recovered over R1 billion.
MPs welcomed the report saying it shows that there is progress being made in addressing material irregularities.