DA lays charges about R7,6 billion irregular expenditure

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday handed over a complaint to Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Provincial Regional Manager Seth Msimanga in Polokwane regarding an amount of R7,6 billion allegedly spent irregularly during the last three years by government departments.
The complaint stated that the Auditor-General has found that R7,6 billion in irregular expenditure over the last three years has not been investigated by the Limpopo government.
The party did so in terms of Section 114(2) (b) of the Constitution that mandates that the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) and other organs of state must be held accountable for the money that was irregularly spent. The party also requested the SIU to investigate MECs, accounting officers of all government departments and state entities as well as administrators involved in the Section 100 intervention.
DA Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle said the party has a responsibility to ensure the provincial government upholds the rule of law and challenges the gross malfeasance by public officials in the use of state resources. “These resources would go a long way in addressing developmental issues our most vulnerable members of society face,” Smalle said.
He handed over the documents as well as
1 000 pages of evidence to Msimanga.
“This is a gross violation of their oath taken in terms of section 107 of the Constitution as well as Sections of the Provincial Finance management Act 29 of 1999 and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004,” he said.
The document further reads that the PEC and officials made themselves guilty of, but not limited to, failure to comply with legislated obligations and responsibilities, unauthorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure and possible fraud and corruption.
Smalle said of the amount some 76% was spent by the Departments of Health and Education, also while they were both under administration. “They must be held accountable and face the consequences,” he said and added that Msimanga had assured him that the SIU would conduct investigations and then hand over the documents to the Presidency for the provision of further investigation.

Story and photo: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: DA Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle addresses the media after handing over the complaint to the SIU in Polokwane on Monday.