Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, dated 26 June 2002:
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, having considered the Report of the Auditor-General on the financial statements of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) for the year ended 31 March 2001 [RP111-01], reports as follows:
The Committee studied the Report of the Auditor-General and put questions for clarification to the Accounting Officer on matters which, according to the Committee, needed attention.
After considering written replies from the Department, the Committee took note of the steps taken by the Accounting Officer and the staff to fulfil their obligations in terms of the PFMA concerning financial management at the Department. The Committee resolved not to have a hearing on the report for the year under review, but to await the Auditor-General's Report on the next financial year.
Having noted the above, however, the Committee wishes to bring the following to the attention of the Accounting Officer:
1. Unauthorised expenditure
The Committee took note of the unauthorised expenditure of R4 154 442 during the year, and wishes to express its concern. As the expenditure charged against the Vote exceeded the total amount voted by R4 154 442, this amount is regarded as unauthorised expenditure in terms of section 1 of the PFMA. The Committee took note of the explanation given by the Accounting Officer as well as the corrective measures implemented by the Department, and therefore recommends that the amount of R4 154 442 be authorised by Parliament.
2. Government's mid-term report
The Committee noted progress made in respect of this matter, and again recommends that it be kept updated on a biannual basis on progress made with actions giving effect to the judgement against the former Head of the SA Communications Service [Paragraph E.2 of Third Report, 2001].