Govt to address audit

Cabinet has committed government to address the pressing issues that have been identified by the AuditorGeneral and strengthen financial controls towards better audit outcomes.

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, said while outcomes of national audits showed an overall improvement of 8 percent, Cabinet noted with concern the risks and challenges as highlighted in the audit results.

“The release of the 2015/16 audit results by the Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu of national and provincial departments and their entities underscores the importance of performing the following basics properly and consistently: implementing plans to address deficiencies in financial controls based on commitments already made; providing effective leadership and monitoring achievement of performance targets; and reviewing and monitoring compliance with key laws and legislation over financial matters,” Minister Radebe said during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Cape Town yesterday.

Cabinet also called on all sectors to join government in a united front to protect the country’s investment status.

The call was made as the country awaits the international ratings agencies Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s to announce their decision on the country’s investment rating grade in the coming weeks.

Radebe said government has been working with business, civil society and labour to translate the country’s plans into concrete actions that will ensure South Africa remains an investment grade country. – SAnews.gov.za