Reply by President Jacob Zuma, on questions posed in the National Assembly for oral reply

The leader of the opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

Whether, with reference to the Western Cape Provincial Government achieving a clean sweep of unqualified audit reports and his statement that there is a crisis of accountability (details furnished), he will ensure that steps are taken to hold accountable individuals who fail in their duty to manage provincial finances appropriately; if not, why not; if so, what steps 

Reply:

This matter is discussed constantly with Premiers as well in the President’s Coordinating Council, and all nine Premiers share this determination. The targets for clean audits in provincial departments also form part of the delivery agreement and performance contract of the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

In these targets, the MECs for the various departments are the delivery partners and therefore their own performance contracts will include the same targets for clean audits and it will be expected of them that they report and account on their specific performance.