Today the Director General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development begin a three day engagement with the Justice Portfolio committee on the annual report of the financial year 2011/2012 today in parliament.
The annual report, which was tabled in parliament on the 28 September 2012, was positively received by the auditor general and members of parliament as it reflects greater improvements in the administration of justice.
The Department is strengthening its control measures and financial management in order with the intention of reaching its target during the 2012/13 financial year.During the 2011/12 financial year, a considerable time and effort was invested in turning around the administration of the Department towards an unqualified audit opinion on the vote account. A number of interventions have been initiated to ensure that the Department achieves an unqualified audit in 2012/2013 financial year.
These include Identifying systems, people and processes to address the qualification on Third Party Funds and consulting with relevant stakeholders. Other measures include the preparation of annual financial reports, putting systems in place to identify and manage irregular expenditure and improve performance information.
Since the conceptualisation and implementation of these initiatives, the Department received an unqualified audit in most areas which include irregular expenditure, assets, leave and performance information.
Tightened internal controls and implementation of remedial action ensured that the Department receives an unqualified audit on irregular expenditure.
To improve performance, the Department continued with monthly monitoring, maintained a dedicated team of Internal Audit to identify and help address areas of weakness, build more controls in the processes for collection of source documentation and make extra efforts to determine performance targets scientifically and link to budget and resources.
During the 2011/12, considerable time and effort was invested in implementing the new Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plan and addressing audit findings raised in the 2010/11 financial year.
It was also clear during the deliberation that despite the widely publicised challenges in performance management and general human resources activities, the department has dedicated considerable time in ensuring that issues relating to performance management are addressed.
During this financial more focus will be dedicated on the Third Party Funds as the Department moves steadily towards an unqualified audit. During the period under review, annual financial statements for Third Party Funds were developed for the 2009/10 financial year. This was the first time such a complex exercise was undertaken.
The improvements registered during the 2011/12 financial year were realised despite a number of additional issues that had a major impact in the performance. During the financial year, the department had an added responsibility to finance the Commission of Enquiry on Strategic Defence Procurement Packages and manage the relocation of two Masters Offices and executive management to new premises.
The Department requires the support of all its stakeholders in order to ensure effective administration of justice.
Enquiries:
Mthunzi Mhaga
Cell: 0836418141
Justice moving steadily towards unqualified audit in 2012/13
