MPs to scrutinise Sassa

THE SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) is set to come under scrutiny today when it appears before Parliament to account for the R1.4 billion it incurred in irregular expenditure in 2016/17.

Auditor-general Kimi Makwetu found in his report that Sassa did not take effective steps to prevent irregular expenditure.

“Most of the irregular expenditure resulted from non-compliance with prescripts regulating procurement and contract management,” Makwetu pointed out.

A total of R43 million was spent on the “work streams” that were appointed by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to develop a payment model for social grants.

Makwetu also found that no effective steps were taken to prevent fruitless expenditure totalling R6.5m.

Yesterday, the department’s National Development Agency (NDA), was sent packing when it came to present its annual report to Parliament, without its board of directors.

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and her deputy, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, had both tendered apologies for their absence.

NDA chief executive Thamo Mzobe blamed an “oversight” for their absence.

But the portfolio committee unanimously objected to the NDA presenting its annual report without its board present.

“Nobody can report on their behalf,” the ANC’s Pulani Mogotsi pointed out.