COGSTA underspends by millions; fails targets
The department of cooperative government, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta), was sent back to the drawing board on Friday by the Standing Comittee on Public Accounts (Scopa)
POLOKWANE – The department of cooperative government, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta), was sent back to the drawing board on Friday by the Standing Comittee on Public Accounts (Scopa).
Scopa addressed the resolutions taken by the legislature regarding Coghsta’s Auditor-General (AG) audit report ending March 31, 2012, and questions regarding the 2012/13 audit report.
The department was told by Scopa chair, Jack Matlala, that out of eight resolutions taken by the legislature, five were not responded to or implemented, two were partially responded to and only one was fully addressed.
Of the nine questions asked by Scopa and the AG’s office, six were responded to, two partially responded to and one was fully responded to.
Coghsta head, Nape Nchabeleng, told Scopa members that, to his understanding, the department did respond to most of the questions and that the department was “trying to implement” some of the resolutions.
Matlala responded by saying the department should have a proper plan in order to ensure all planned targets were achieved and Scopa wanted to see the plan.
Sixteen officials were initially set to be disciplined for doing remunerative work without having had the necessary permission. Cases against five were withdrawn as evidence of their alleged transgressions could not be found.
Ten public institutions were advised to recover money paid to officials as the department did not have the authority to recover the funds from the officials, according to a legal opinion acquired by the department.
The department has instituted measures to prevent officials from doing remunerative work on the side in future and established a formal code of conduct for ethical behaviour.
It was also mentioned in the meeting that Coghsta had underspent its budget for the year ending on March 31, 2012 by R416,5 million and only achieved 23% of its planned targets.
Reliable and relevant information had allegedly not been used in all cases to prepare financial statements.
The department will have to return next week for another Scopa hearing.
