The Choose Committee on Social Providers obtained a briefing yesterday from the Auditor-Common of South Africa (AGSA) on audit outcomes for the Division of Social Improvement (DSD) and its entities for the 2023/24 monetary 12 months.
The committee expressed concern with the shortage of progress in addressing long-standing points. Key issues raised by members of the committee with factors within the AGSA’s presentation embody the regression in audit outcomes, with the DSD and the Nationwide Improvement Company (NDA) transferring from clear audits to audits with findings.
There are additionally persistent challenges in efficiency reporting, with materials misstatements recognized within the annual efficiency info of the DSD, SASSA and the NDA. The committee additionally famous with concern the continued non-compliance with laws highlighted within the AGSA’s presentation, notably round irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Ineffective consequence administration was famous, with officers not being held accountable for transgressions.
Weaknesses in methods and controls have been additionally recognized, hampering the efficient administration of social grants and the processing of public queries and disputes.
Delays in filling important vacancies on the DSD and NDA, in addition to materials irregularities recognized at SASSA and the DSD leading to monetary losses, have been additionally areas of concern.
The committee expressed nice concern over the detrimental influence these persistent challenges have on service supply and the lived experiences of susceptible South Africans who depend on the social welfare system.
Members of the committee emphasised the urgency of addressing the foundation causes and holding management accountable. The committee has resolved to name the manager authority, the Minister of Social Improvement, to seem earlier than it to account for the poor efficiency and supply an in depth turnaround plan to treatment the scenario. The committee urged AGSA to proceed exercising its expanded mandate to drive accountability and consequence administration the place crucial.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Desery Fienies mentioned: “The findings introduced by the Auditor-Common are extraordinarily regarding and unacceptable. As a committee, we won’t tolerate the continued failure to ship high quality companies to our most susceptible residents.”
The committee indicated that it’s going to intently monitor the implementation of the AGSA’s suggestions and the DSD’s remedial actions to make sure tangible enhancements within the subsequent monetary 12 months.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.