Tributes flow after death of Auditor-General Makwetu
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa led tributes in the wake of the death of outgoing Auditor-General (AG) Kimi Makwetu.
Political parties also paid tribute last night after Makwetu succumbed to stage four lung cancer. He was 54. Ramaphosa said Makwetu was committed to his work.
“During his tenure of auditor-general he served this country with dedication, integrity and dignity,” said Ramaphosa.
The ANC and the DA highlighted that Makwetu’s death was a blow to the country.
The ANC said Makwetu was a true professional.
“Makwetu remained true to the constitutional mandate of AGSA, namely, to strengthen our democracy by enabling oversight, accountability and governance in the public sector through auditing, thereby building public confidence. He has contributed enormously towards building a culture of accountability and transparency in the utilisation of state resources,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
DA MP Jan de Villiers said Makwetu had served to protect the independence and integrity of his office.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said he had worked closely with Makwetu over the years.
“Over the years, I have worked closely with the AG: we shared a goal which we both took very seriously; to ensure that the government delivers on its commitments to the people and does so in a manner which is trustworthy and corruption-free,” said Winde.
Chairperson of the standing committee on the auditor-general Sakhumzi Somyo said Makwetu was a consummate professional who stuck to his work. He said he was committed to the work and the reports he delivered in Parliament. Makwetu had delivered a number of reports on the state of finances in national and provincial departments and municipalities. He had also pushed for the new powers of his office to fight corruption. His last report was on the Covid-19 corruption after the looting of the funds.
Makwetu was due to release his last report on Covid-19 at the end of the month before he left office. His seven-year tenure came to an end soon after Parliament recommended his successor Tsakani Maluleke to take over from him. Maluleke had served as Makwetu’s deputy over the last seven years before she got the job ahead of the other candidates who did not make the cut after the interviews by MPs.
Meanwhile, the United Democratic Movement is also mourning the death of former Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) mayor Mongameli Bobani.
Bobani died last night after he was hospitalised three weeks ago from Covid-19. He joined the coalition in NMB as mayor but was ousted last December after councillors successfully tabled a motion of no confidence against him.