Please note Dr Imran Keeka, MPL sound bite in English
• Clean audit reflects sound financial management, effective internal controls and good governance.
• Legislature continues to operate under severe financial constraints.
• AG’s recommendations to strengthen systems and oversight must be explored.
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) welcomes today’s briefing by the Office of the Auditor-General (AG), to the Committee of Chairpersons, which confirmed that the provincial Legislature has achieved its sixth consecutive clean audit.
This is a significant achievement reflecting sustained sound financial management, effective internal controls and good governance. The DA commends the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, the Legislature Secretary – who is the Accounting Officer – and the many dedicated officials whose commitment and professionalism have contributed to this important milestone.
While this repeated achievement deserves recognition, it must also be understood that KZN’s Legislature continues to operate under severe financial constraints. This limits its ability to expand oversight activities and strengthen public participation – two of the institution’s most important constitutional responsibilities in addition to law-making.
The AG’s report also identified areas where the Legislature can further strengthen its systems and oversight. This constructive approach should be welcomed. Key areas identified include the following, with corrective measures already on track to improve them:
• The absence of a centralised House Resolution Register to track the implementation of resolutions across departments;
• Weaknesses in committee resolution tracking and monitoring systems; and
• The need to improve the implementation of approved committee oversight plans.
The DA believes that reducing member-related costs and rooting out practices that unnecessarily waste public funds – even those that do not form part of the AG’s findings – remain essential. We have already highlighted concerns relating to travel claims, possible fraudulent applications for drivers and the improper use of party allowances. Taxpayers rightly expect every rand allocated to the Legislature to be spent responsibly.
There is also considerable scope for innovation. Members require better technological support which should include:
• Introducing an electronic voting system;
• Replacing the outdated paper-based travel claims process;
• Exploring voluntary electronic travel verification to minimise irregular travel claims; and
• Exploring more modern digital systems to build on and improve current recording and management of House proceedings.
These measures will reduce administrative costs, improve efficiency and bring the Legislature in line with contemporary best practice, however, successful implementation will depend on the availability of adequate funding.
The DA remains a committed partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity. While we will continue to acknowledge and commend good governance where it exists, we will also continue to perform our oversight role without apology on behalf of KZN’s people.