The 2017-18 consolidated audit outcomes of National and Provincial Governments shows Home Affairs is on track
The Department of Home Affairs views the 2017-18 Consolidated Audit Outcomes of National and Provincial Governments, released today by Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu, as an empowering instrument pointing to what needs to be done to improve internal controls, resulting in reliable financial statements, credible reporting on service delivery and compliance with legislation. The Department is not in the list of the Top 10 national departments contributing to unauthorized expenditure. It does not feature on the list of Top 10 contributors to irregular expenditure or among those flagged for fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
“We’ll continue improving on those aspects of financial management needing attention. We eye a clean audit for which we’ve mobilized for all hands to be on deck. As recommended in the report, we will do even more to plan, do, check, and act, for better results”, said Home Affairs Acting Director-General Thulani Mavuso. Although the number of auditees that obtained unqualified audit opinions decreased from 301 (77%) to 295 (75%) since the previous year and from 299 (77%) since 2014-15, the Department of Home Affairs obtained an unqualified audit opinion in 2017-18, as it did also in 2016-17.
In the year ending 31 March 2018, Home Affairs spent 99.9% of its allocated budget. It achieved 86% of the 28 targets in its annual performance plan, a 2% improvement from last year’s 84%. It registered 772 035 births within 30 days of birth, against a target of 750 000, issued 8 049 permanent residence permits, of which 7 810 (97%) were finalised within the set target of 8 months (including critical skills, general work and business visas), and finalised 6 684 critical skills work visas of which 5 935 (89%) were finalised within 4 weeks. This shows sustained commitment to delivery against shrinking budget allocations.
The Department’s budget of just over R7 billion, which includes the IEC allocation, remains a huge challenge in meeting our constitutional obligations of servicing 57 million citizens plus millions of foreign nationals who visit South Africa annually. Our footprint of 412 offices is inadequate, and we are working with the Department of Public Works and National Treasury to address this matter.
Enquiries:
David Hlabane
Cell: 071 342 4284
E-mail: david.hlabane@dha.gov.za
