Issued by Department of Labour
23 February 2000
The Department of Labour welcomes the report of the Auditor-General on Vote 22: Labour, for the financial year ending 31 March 1999, which was tabled in parliament yesterday. We are appreciative of the co-operation and professional assistance of the Office of the Auditor-General in improving the efficient and effective administration of public resources.
The Department of Labour notes with encouragement that once again, the report reflects an improved assessment of our operations. This is a direct result of our continued efforts to ensure improvements in the efficiency of our administration. We furthermore undertake to attend to areas of shortcomings identified in the report.
Unauthorised expenditure of R822,000 has been identified by the Auditor-General for the year under review. Compared to the R7,2 million identified in the previous year's report, this reflects a considerable improvement and substantiates the fact that control measures implemented by the Department have been effective.
The unauthorised expenditure represents 0,93% of the budget of R88,0 million in the categories where the expenditure occurred - Professional and Special Services and Equipment.
The expenditure has been declared unauthorised as a result of non-compliance with tender procedures. It is, however, a legitimate expenditure against the Vote and no losses to the State have been incurred.
The Department is committed to root out unauthorised expenditure through a process of ongoing training and by sensitising all staff on the importance of complying with tender procedures.
The finalisation of the incorporation of the former TBVC States is in the process of being completed and the Department is working in close co-operation of the Department of State Expenditure and the Office of the Auditor-General. Representatives from the Department and the Auditor-General are assessing the situation at present.
The Department is satisfied that the Office of the Auditor-General has conducted its work in an impartial and professional manner and continues to enjoy the Department's confidence.
For more information contact: James Moche
Tel: 012 309 4804
Cell: 082 903 2403