The evidence refutes a desperate attempt to discredit the achievement of 100% clean audits by the Western Cape Government.
The statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) is incorrect and omits information that the Chairperson is fully informed of. I want to place this on record as previously communicated through various other public platforms. The recurring irregular expenditure of the former Department of Human Settlements pre-dates my term as the Minister and Executive Authority of the department.
The main contributor to this recurring irregular expenditure emanates from contracts that were executed and concluded between the 2016 and 2018 financial years periods I was not the Minister and Executive Authority of the department. These were subsequently identified by the Auditor General (AG) as irregular. Given that these contracts were deemed irregular and were structured as multi-year contracts, any expenditure, regular or not, was then deemed irregular every financial year, hence the statement of their being “recurring”.
It must be further noted that when these contracts were brought to my attention in the 2021/22 audit year, I immediately engaged the Provincial Forensics Unit to investigate these for any possible corruption or maladministration. Given the complexities of these contracts, forensic investigations are still underway.
I receive a monthly progress report on these investigations and can assure the public that should any officials, past or present, be implicated in any corruption or maladministration, I will personally be laying criminal charges and aim to recoup any monies owing.
The SCOPA Chairperson, specifically, is aware of my stance as I have been very clear on the latter during our appearance at SCOPA on 13 September 2023.
I also take exception to the accusation of a lack of internal controls in the Department of Infrastructure. This department was officially proclaimed by the President in March 2023, effective as of 1 April. Thus, it is yet to complete a financial year operating as an administrative department.
I would like to further remind the SCOPA Chairperson that between 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements created a total of 42,134 housing opportunities of which 16 249 were sites and 25 885 were houses. We also have delivered 5 103 First Home Finance (formerly known as FLISP) for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022, a figure that outperforms all the other 8 provinces. We are providing inclusive affordable housing opportunities for all our citizens.
The delivery of dignified human settlements and making affordable housing accessible to all citizens in the Western Cape is a priority to which this department is committed. The evidence fully supports our commitment to good governance and delivery of dignified housing and communities for all residents in this province.
Media enquiries:
Ntobeko Mbingeleli
E-mail: ntobeko.mbingeleli@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 8067
Cell: 061 447 7851
