There must be swift action on allegations against AG

The role of the auditor-general has become crucial in SA given the rise in corruption and maladministration in the three tiers of government and many other public institutions. Year after year, the office of the auditor-general publishes reports that provide a clear picture of how public finances are being used or abused. The picture is often bleak, especially at local government level, where great numbers of municipalities seem to be in the hands of incompetent executives or run by politically connected criminal networks.

When those damning reports are released there is always a silver lining: the office of the auditor-general itself. We take pride in the fact that we have an independent and competent organisation that is always willing to do its job without fear or favour.

During post-apartheid SA’s darkest hour, the era of state capture, the office of the auditor-general was one of the few public institutions that were not compromised. It jealously guarded its independence and reputation.

It is within this context that we find the allegations levelled against auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke by a suspended member of her office deeply troubling. Chief people officer Mlungisi Mabaso was suspended amid allegations that he attempted to extort an exit package from Maluleke after the two fell out earlier this year. Since the suspension, Mabaso has gone public with a series of allegations that, if proven true, would severely damage Maluleke’s reputation and call into question the standing of her office.

Maluleke has denied all the allegations and her office says she is a victim of attempted blackmail by the organisation’s suspended head of human resources.

The office of the auditor-general is too important for the allegations to be allowed to linger. It is for this reason we believe that parliament, the institution before which the auditor-general accounts, should immediately probe the claims made by Mabaso and Maluleke against each other. The sooner an investigation reveals the truth and action is taken, the less damage will be done to the office and SA’s fight against graft.