‘Administration is not a quick fix’ – Monde

THE turnaround of the five Limpopo departments that were put under administration is no quick fix and it will take time, more effort and resilience by all.

This was according to Monde Tom, the head of the intervention team, during a press conference held at the treasury department’s offices last Thursday.

Monde said the province had accumulated an unauthorised expenditure bill of R2,7 billion and was on the verge of a financial crisis.

He said the mess was created by the then executive committee.

He said the Exco had weakened the treasury department, which was unable to exercise its duty to provide support and effective oversight over the other departments.

“Instead, the treasury was turned into a money machine, dispensing payments a number of times a month instead of twice.

“Some payments were made without valid contracts in place and in most cases, there was no time to verify invoices and check whether the services had been rendered to the right standard.

“The Limpopo government now has a better story to tell about the state of its government administration in the five departments, than the story that we found in 2011.

“The intervention achieved a lot in the period it has been in the province,” he said.

According to Monde, the integrity of the financial management process was restored, surplus cash had been attained, the overdraft was being addressed and R600 million should be cleared by 2015.

“People have been charged with various offences to ensure consequences for both criminal wrongdoings and maladministration.

“We are working with the office of the premier to ensure that these gains are not reversed when the intervention has come to an end.

“There are still areas with challenges and implementation actions are underway to address them,” he said.

“We have stopped illegal tender awards where we could and a number of people are unhappy.

“They are now using the media to impugn the reputation of the officials who were sent to clean up the mess.

“Some of these business owners and managers, including those who have been making all sorts of allegations were at the forefront when we first came here, seeking to curry favour with the intervention team.

“Having failed, they now launch an assault on government processes.

“Our immediate objective was to stem the cash bleed.

“This was achieved through a number of ways including curbing frivolous expenditure such as wanton expenditure on catering and travelling, as well as ensuring that enough cash reserves were built.

“Having diagnosed the problems, the intervention entered into the recovery phase wherein a number of projects were initiated,” Monde said.

“The department of education is in 95% compliance with the administration,” he added.

On the question as to when the intervention team would be leaving the province, Monde said the minister of treasury would have a press conference in which he would outline the way forward.

He would also announce the decisions made about action taken against those found guilty of breaking the law, Monde said.

Head of the treasury department, Gavin Pratt, said they were making sure that suppliers were paid on time.

He said any supplier whose invoice was not paid was welcome to visit his office.