On Tuesday, 28 October 2014, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Tourism took a stern position to reject the annual report for the 2013/14 financial year of the North West Parks Board and Tourism.
This was during the joint committee meetings that the Portfolio Committees on Provincial Affairs, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development and the Portfolio Committee on Tourism had with several MECs for departments who were invited to present on their annual reports for the 2013/14 financial year.
The Committee based this decision on the reason that the entire board of the entity who were supposed to account were not available and none served written apologies for their absence.
The committee led by Hon. Hlomane Chauke demanded answers on the maladministration that occurred during 2013/14 financial year, the non-accountability of the R12 million that disappeared and not accounted for, the constant refusal of the entity to submit their financial statements according to the brief given by the Auditor General, and no proper procedure to follow the supply chain management policies.
“We will not be undermined with a 5-page document, that is said to be an annual report and allow honourable MECs’ of departments who took time out of their busy schedules to be embarrassed and undermined by administrators placed in the departments, entrusted to safeguard public funds but instead commit criminal offenses without any accountability,” said Hon. Chauke
The committee also wanted answers on the progress report on a number of forensic investigations that were issued by the previous MEC as well as costs of those investigations.
Hon. Motlalepule Rosho, who is a member of the committee and also the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committees on Provincial Affairs, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development said the report is slap on the face of the committee.
“This is a slap on our face, and our level of intelligence will not be undermined and allow such disrespect to this committee,”
“It is very worrying to see money getting pumped into this department, and shifting of funds happening with none to account on those funds,” said Hon. Rosho
The committee resolved to postpone the meeting and not allow the presentation to proceed without the board to account on the said matters and issue summons to the board to appear before the committee.
Enquiries:
Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
