A-G concerned as irregular expenditure increases again
Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu says irregular expenditure has increased to R62 billion from the R52 billion reported last year.
Makwetu briefed the media on the national and provincial government’s audit results for the 2018/19 financial year in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Makwetu says the number includes auditees that completed their papers after the cut-off date.
He added that the number could still be higher.
"Thirty-four percent of the auditees were disqualified because the amount disclosed was incomplete or disclosed that they incurred irregular expenditure but the full amount was unknown.”
Makwetu says contracts worth R2 billion could not be audited because of missing or incomplete information.
"And the point that we are emphasising is that for as long as investigations on those transactions have not happened we will never know what was behind it.
"We insist that investigations into irregular expenditure need to be pointed out as a primary step that needs to be taken.”
Makwtu, however, noted that unauthorised expenditure had decreased by 23%.
"Which is good. We've noted that a number of departments have that have now started sticking to what has been budgeted.
"We've got at least a positive flag with regards to the level of unauthorised expenditure".