16 August 2000
After a thorough and comprehensive investigation of complaints regarding the Auditor-General's Special Report on donor funding and the remuneration of a former adviser in the office of the Premier of Mpumalanga, the Public Protector, Adv S A M Baqwa SC, has found the Report to be correct and proper. The complaints that were investigated, have been found to be unsubstantiated and without merit.
In his Special Report, finalised on 2 December 1999, the Auditor-General found several instances of non-compliance with Cabinet Resolutions pertaining to Special Advisers, to the contract between the Special Adviser and the Mpumalanga Provincial Administration and to Treasury Instructions. The Auditor- General concluded that urgent and comprehensive action should be taken, including the calling upon of the respective role players to account for their actions or the lack thereof.
On 9 December 1999, the Special Advisor referred to in the Auditor-General's Report, Mr P G Rootman, complained to the office of the Public Protector that he had been unfairly treated by the Office of the Auditor-General as he had not been allowed to make an input during the audit process.
Reporting on the investigation conducted by his office, Adv Baqwa said that he was satisfied that the audit had been properly conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General in terms of the Auditor-General Act and the Constitution. "I am also satisfied that the contents of the Special Report are proper and that they accord with the facts available to the office of the Auditor-General," he concluded.
Enquiries: Nicolette Teichmann
Tel:
(012) 322 1190
082 333 5624