R4bn in irregular expenditure slated

GAUTENG Premier David Makhura has vowed to act against all provincial heads of department responsible for the more than R4 billion of irregular expenditure in his government.

Makhura was speaking during the tabling of his annual report before the legislature yesterday.

Other departments, such as Health, for the first time in seven years managed to obtain an unqualified audit opinion from Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu. Makhura urged all provincial departments and their political bosses to ensure that they get clean audit opinions from the A-G.

“I wish to reiterate that there shall be consequences for poor performance and unethical conduct. We are determined to run a clean, accountable, e f f i c i e n t , responsive and corruption-free administration. We are determined to serve the people honestly and diligently,” he said.

“Despite the good progress made, I remain concerned about irregular expenditure and failure by officials to comply with supply chain procedures. We will crack the whip. We will also provide support where necessary. There should be no place for irregular expenditure in our Gauteng city region.”

Makhura issued the warning despite a drop of R1bn in irregular expenditure compared to last year. He said his government was now implementing the open-tender system to all departments.

“We are also pleased that the City of Ekurhuleni is already implementing the open-tender system and that the City of Joburg is in the process of implementing the system. We trust this system will be implemented in all our municipalities, without fail.

“Finance MEC Barbara Creecy and her team are available to train municipal leaders in the open-tender system.”

Makhura also pledged to work with all municipalities in Gauteng, including those that are not controlled by the ANC, to ensure that services are delivered to residents without fail.

“We remain steely and resolute in our determination to serve the people of Gauteng in their entirety. We shall promote stability and ensure uninterrupted service delivery, tackle uneven development, and drive spatial and socio-economic t r a n s f o r mation across our province.

“We will p r o m o t e r e s p o n s i v e , a c c o u n t a b l e and clean governance in the entire province and collaborate with all municipalities in order to help them fulfil their constitutional obligations.

“We will not hesitate to intervene, in accordance with the law, in the event of administrative paralysis that threatens the well-being of citizens.

“The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is already working closely with all the municipalities to ensure a smooth transition to the new term of local government.”

Makhura said he would convene a meeting with new mayors in September to share ideas on how they could work together with the aim of improving residents’ lives.

He added: “Our interventions need to result in visible and measurable improvement in the conditions of the people of Gauteng.”

COMMITTED: Gauteng Premier David Makhura