AG stands by audit findings over Parliament secretary’s salary hike

The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) is standing by its audit finding on Parliament for the 2023/24 financial year, despite the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) crying foul over the procedure to appoint the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George.

The AGSA said its audit was limited to determining whether any irregular expenditure was incurred in the hiring process and a benchmarking exercise that led to a massive spike in George’s salary within the first year.

The response comes as the EFF questions the audit, arguing that the contract adjustments and the benchmarking exercise smack of irregularity.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also asked the Public Protector to investigate the appointment process.

Earlier in March, the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament said it was closing the matter that has been dragging on since the previous administration, supported by the AGSA’s audit opinion that found no irregularities in the appointment process that saw George’s salary rise from R2.6 million to R4.4 million within the first year.

Clarifying its audit finding in response to a complaint from the EFF, the AGSA said this matter was reviewed as part of its regular audit of Parliament.

The focus was on aspects of the appointment, remuneration and benefits of the Secretary to Parliament in accordance with the Financial Management of Parliament and Legislatures Act and Parliament’s own internal policies and procedures.

The AGSA said the audit was limited to determining whether the appointment led to expenditure incurred that was in contravention of these prescripts.

On the matter of George’s salary increase, the AGSA said its audit procedures again related to the law and Parliament’s internal policies to determine how the adjusted package was arrived at, and whether the approval was above board.

“This included a consideration of the benchmarking applied and whether the approval fell within the delegated authority of the executive authority,” said the AGSA.

The AGSA’s office has acknowledged the additional documents submitted to it by the EFF, which it believes may have been overlooked in the audit process, and said it will submit an official response to the party in due course.