Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
PREMIER CALLS ON AUDITING PROFESSION TO PLAY A ROLE IN ENSURING CLEAN GOVERNMENT
Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale today called on the auditing profession to play its role in ensuring clean and honest government in the province.
The Premier convened a special meeting with representatives from over 40 auditing firms in the province to express his commitment to corruption-free government.
He also issued a special call to the auditing and accounting profession: "You can help us in this essential quest by forming a representative `Financial Task Force', attached to the Premier's Office, to help us root out those who are involved in corruption."
The Premier called on auditing and accounting firms to second staff to this Task Force, so that skills were available if it became necessary to investigate the financial affairs of the provincial government.
The team would also be able to assist the newly-appointed Auditor-General of Gauteng, Mr Shauket Fakie, who will commence duty on 2 November. Mr Fakie, a consultant with Ernst & Young, was also present at this morning's meeting.
"We will give this special team access to government accounts in the province, and ask the team to audit these accounts on an ongoing basis on behalf of the people of Gauteng.
"By so doing, the profession will play a role in ensuring financial accountability in government. We, the public and private sectors of Gauteng, will strive to create a corruption-free province, taking harsh action against any offenders - be they at the highest or lowest levels of commerce, government, industry or welfare."