The Provincial Government welcomes the outcome of a feedback session by the Public Protector to a community briefing in Brits yesterday.
The Public Protector initially briefed the community in July this year and the Provincial Government of Bokone Bophirima issued a response on the 1st of August 2016 and the same response is reaffirmed in the wake of the Public Protector’s briefing yesterday.
The Provincial Government advises that any money spent by Traditional Councils would be in accordance with the estimates submitted by the same Traditional Councils.
There are procedures for funds to be spent which include that expenditure be authorized by the Traditional Council to the Provincial Administration.
It has emerged that since 2014 the Traditional Council has elected not to use the D account and has elected to open a separate account which has seen a reduction in the number of transactions on the D account.
Government will therefore continue to cooperate with the investigation to assess compliance with these procedures.
In an effort to broaden transparency and accountability on matters like this, the Provincial Government is working on an auditing framework for Traditional Councils which will ensure that audits are embarked upon that would accord government the necessary legislative authority to unravel any misuse of funds and take corrective action, which includes bringing culprits to book.
The Provincial Government welcomes the Public Protector on matters relating to Bapo Ba Mogale and it is in this spirit that when she requested information the Provincial Government was ready to cooperate with her as it did a lot of work in gathering information relating to the D account.
A delegation of the Provincial Government led by the MEC for Culture ,Arts & Traditional Affairs(CATA) with a strong team of Heads of Department from CATA and Finance met with her on Tuesday 26 July 2016 and shared information she required on the D account.
The Provincial Government remains committed to ensuring continued cooperation with the Public Protector until this matter is concluded.
It is the Provincial Government’s view that in instances where it is found that people misuse government money they would be brought to book. The Provincial Government will further ensure that information is provided on matters of Bapo ba Mogale at all times when a need arise.
Engagements between The Public Protector and the community were to communicate progress to date and how government would have worked with the Public Protector to ensure the matter is concluded.
We maintain our commitment to the Public Protector that Government will continue to cooperate with her office’s investigation into the D account.
The 5th administration looks forward to the conclusion of this matter which has dragged on for the last 21 years and would consequently not hesitate to take action when required to do so.
Finally, the Provincial Government also reiterates the Public Protector’s call that until the investigations are concluded, people should refrain from finger pointing that is informed by suspicions.
For enquiries, contact:
Mr Brian Setswambung
Provincial Head of Communication
Cell: 0760124501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
