The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) has reaffirmed its audit findings on Parliament for the 2023/24 financial year, despite objections from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) regarding the appointment of Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George.
The EFF has questioned the process, claiming that George’s salary hike of 70% within his first year raises concerns over irregularities.
AUDIT SCOPE AND FINDINGS
The AGSA clarified that its audit focused solely on determining whether any irregular expenditure occurred during George’s appointment and the benchmarking exercise that led to his significant salary increase.
The audit concluded that the appointment was in line with legal requirements and Parliament’s internal policies, and no irregularities were found.
POLITICAL RESPONSE
The EFF continues to challenge the audit, arguing that the contract adjustments and salary benchmarking suggest irregularity. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has requested the Public Protector to investigate the process further.
Earlier in March, the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament closed the matter, supported by the AGSA’s audit opinion confirming no irregularities.
AGSA CLARIFIES PROCEDURES
Responding to the EFF, the AGSA noted that its audit assessed:
- Whether expenditure from the appointment contravened financial regulations.
- The legality and approval process of the salary increase.
- Benchmarking measures applied in determining the remuneration.
The office confirmed it would submit an official response to the EFF regarding additional documents submitted by the party, which may not have been considered in the initial audit.
The AGSA maintains that its audit of Parliament, including the appointment and remuneration of the Secretary, adhered to the law and internal policies, despite continued political scrutiny.
Facebook Comments