OUT OF CONTROL

Comment

The Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula, has found a 40 per cent drop in travel costs and this is something worth appreciating given its serious drain on public coffers.

However, these savings can easily mean nothing if government will not fix all that the AG has revealed about the lack of accountability in managing public funds, particularly within our public enterprises.

For the auditor general to convene a press conference on this issue yesterday, which is a first by the way, is a sign of a man who is tired of seeing money being pumped into public enterprises that cannot account say how they utilised previous subventions. Some invoices were fished out of drawers. He is basically saying enough is enough, not on my watch.

We agree entirely with the AG that it is wrong to continue pumping funds into these public enterprises when they cannot account for the money.  Financial controls play an important role in ensuring the accuracy of reporting, eliminating fraud and protecting the country’s resources, both physical and intangible.

Seemingly this is not the case with 11 public enterprises and it may be time for government to withhold the subventions until the public enterprises comply.
The heads of these enterprises, as well as their Board of Directors, need to answer on why they are unable to comply with statutory requirements.

We are told that a disciplinary tribunal has been set up to focus on the use of public funds. However, this structure will only be effective with political will. History has taught us to be circumspect when such measures are announced, to avoid disappointment after praising what eventually turns out to be a toothless bulldog.

Now that the AG has revealed what is happening behind the scenes, the onus is on the Ambrose Dlamini-led government to show leadership and enforce compliance.  If not, then the tribunal should start at Cabinet.

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