The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) has suspended and initiated an investigation against five employees who allegedly participated in activities that are in direct conflict with the AGSA's values, standards and codes of ethics.
All the suspended employees are or were employed in the AGSA's North West office at the time of committing the alleged offences. The allegations relate to the AGSA work activities in the North West province.
The AGSA has decided to put these employees under protective suspension. This is aimed at protecting them from any perception that they might interfere with the investigation if they are at work during this process. As in any such investigation, protective suspensions are aimed at ensuring that the investigation process is credible and there are no perceived undue influences. As the AGSA we believe and support the principle of innocent-until-proven-guilty. We think these employees should be afforded that courtesy; the fact that they have been suspended must not be interpreted to suggest that they are guilty.
Although we will not comment in detail on this matter while investigations are underway, all we can categorically state is that the Auditor-General of South Africa has, over the years, functioned effectively in fulfilling the requirements of its constitutional mandate. The AGSA has adopted and adheres to international professional audit standards and codes of ethics whenever it conducts its audits.
These standards require, among other criteria, that our auditors adopt a professional and ethical approach every time they undertake any audit. This professionalism entails approaching audits with an open mind without any pre-determined perceptions; being courteous and respectful to auditors during audit interactions; reacting appropriately to all information that comes to our attention during the course of an audit; and treating all audit information and interactions as confidential until a final report has been tabled to the relevant legislative bodies, Parliament, provincial legislatures or local councils.
As a great supporter of good corporate governance, the AGSA always expects and encourages its employees to lead by example at all times, and conduct them in a manner in which the organisation will be able to play its part in strengthening our democracy. Objectivity and independence are our founding principles and we have to live by them all the time.
If there are deviations from these fundamental ethics we follow our set policies institute an internal investigation or enlist independent external experts or authorities to gather and establish facts and then take the necessary action based on the findings of such an investigation.
Enquiries:
Africa Boso
Tel: 012 426 8273
Issued by: Auditor-General of South Africa
31 July 2009
Source: Auditor-General of South Africa (http://www.agsa.co.za)
