SCOPA calls on the Premier to intervene again today, 19 March 2013, the North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts has resolved to call for the intervention of Premier Thandi Modise, after the MEC for Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilty, Mosetsanegape Mokomele-Mothibi, and the department failed for the second time to appear to the Committee.
The department was expected to submit proof of payment of R174 000, after MEC Mokomele-Mothibi admitted to misusing tax payers’ money amounting to R 174 000 by paying for her friend and officials for a private trip in Mangaung during December. She committed herself to pay all the monies back to the state coffers in full within seven working days effective from 19 February 2013, the day the meeting was held.
The department was also expected to respond on the following;
- A R7 million that was transferred by the department to Bosasa in December
- Salary adjustment for Head of Department to the highest notch in the province, hardly a day after she was appointed and;
- Tender processes followed in awarding TEB properties a tender and, a lease agreement between the two parties.
The Committee views the department’s failure to appear as serious undermining of the Legislature process in doing its work on oversight and accountability. Chairperson of the Committee, Hon Hlomane Chauke, said this demonstrates a regrettable level of understanding of the institutions that deepens democracy in executing its mandate.
“If we do not hold the Executive and other organs of state accountable for the public purse, our constitutional democracy will be at stake.
“We believe that there is mismanagement of procurement processes in the department and therefore the leadership of the department must come and account.
“We have resolved as a Committee that we will escalate the matter to the Premier, for her to bring the MEC and the management of the department on a date that will be agreed upon by the Premier and the Committee,” said Hon Chauke.
For more information contact:
Namhla
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