JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The office of the Auditor-General handed clean audits to three State-owned enterprises (SOE’s) reporting to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) during the 2012 and 2013 reporting period.

State-owned minerals researcher Mintek, the State Diamond Trader and the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator received awards in recognition of prudent management of public finances and compliance with the Public Finance Management Act.

Auditor-General business executive Kevish Lachman said at the DMR’s offices in Pretoria on Tuesday that if all such government entities received clean audits, South Africa would gain credibility and many of the obstacles involved in transforming the country would be lifted.
“I encourage the entities that received awards today to share those best practices with the rest of the portfolio.

“The Minister and department can be proud that these entities are setting an example within the portfolio and within broader government,” he said at the event.

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu congratulated the entities and thanked them for their hard work.

“We are indeed pleased with this recognition from the Auditor-General’s office and we want to thank them for their continued support in our work. I would like to urge the entities to not become complacent, but to continue to maintain and improve the high standard they have set,” she said.

Shabangu added that it was important for the SOE’s that received awards to continue employing best practices and noted that their achievements were a positive contribution to the country and measured up to international norms and standards.

She echoed the words of the Auditor General’s office, saying “…as a department, as SOE’s that fall under the DMR…you need a collaborative process of bringing this team together in sharing best practices, because that is the only way we can improve”.