North West Premier, Maureen Modiselle, has ordered a forensic investigation into the following provincial departments:
* Health and Social Development
* Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Rural Development
* Education
* Office of the Premier
On an ongoing basis, Premier Modiselle assesses the financial performance of departments and recommends corrective action. In this regard, the Premier has taken a view that it will be important to institute forensic investigations in these departments with the ultimate goal of improving corporate governance, clean administration and financial management capacity. Accordingly, these investigations do not, in any way, suggest that corruption is endemic in these departments.
With regard to the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, the Premier has further resolved to invoke Section 18 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) to help the department to move out of its financial situation. The department has already spent its roads infrastructure budget for 2009/10 through paying invoices for the previous years and unbudgeted projects. Service providers have started taking government to court for non-payment of invoices for work performed.
The Provincial Treasury will, in due course, submit a report to the Premier outlining the process to be followed to address the financial situation in the department.
The Premier is humbled by the confidence that the people of the North West continue to show in her leadership, and wishes to assure them that the provincial government remains focused on the vision of delivering a better life for all.
Despite the challenges that still need to be overcome; the last few months have demonstrated unequivocally that the provincial government is committed and capable of delivering on the people's mandate.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Cell: 082 578 4063
Khotso Khumalo
Cell: 072 307 7007
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
12 November 2009
