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The DA's concerns regarding the SIU were further confirmed yesterday when the Auditor-General informed the Justice Portfolio Committee that the performance of the Unit has deteriorated during the last financial year.

The deterioration is symptomatic of a lack of satisfactory leadership and management. It is clear that the SIU, which in the previous financial year had its best year ever under the leadership of Adv. Willie Hofmeyr, is on a downward slide.

This regression is a direct result of the President removing Hofmeyr, still with no reason having been given by him, and replacing him with somebody who is more intent on driving a political agenda than running the Unit.

The Auditor-General (AG) detailed numerous instances of what was described as "regression" in the performance of the SIU over the last financial year. Included were:

• Consultants’ expenditure was incurred outside of the approved deviation period as set out in the deviation certificate;
• the preferential procurement policy was not implemented in the appointment of temporary staff;
• a supplier was awarded a contract without a tax clearance certificate; and
• weaknesses were identified in the procurement of data analysis software.

With regards to predetermined objectives, the SIU did not report on all strategic objectives, the strategic plan was submitted late, there is no performance management policy, and reported information was not accurate.

In respect of IT controls, there was a lack of formally documented and approved process to manage user access to financial systems. Programme change management procedures were not formally documented. A further shortcoming is that there was a lack of design of the IT security policy. Responsibilities of an information security officer were not formally delegated. There was a lack of design of the disaster recovery plan and IT continuity plan, and a lack of design of a backup and retention strategy.

In respect of the financial statements, a lack of adequate review of the audited financial statements was identified.

The fact that Adv. Nomvula Mokhatla is still managing the unit in an acting position after 10 months shows that the President is at best unconcerned, but more likely is actively participating in undermining the fight against corruption by failing to take decisive action to fill the position with an independent and suitably qualified individual.