Auditor-General remuneration; State Capture Commission Recommendations

Meeting report

The Chairperson stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review the correspondence received from the Presidency which was referred to the Committee for a decision. He read out:
“This determination follows recommendations made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers (the Commission) on the annual salary for all public office bearers, submitted to the President on 17 April 2023”.

The Commission had recommended a 3.8% salary increment for all public office bearers including members of the independent constitutional institutions, judges, magistrates and traditional leaders for 2022/23. After considering the Commission’s recommendations and the serious economic challenges facing the country, the President decided that the salaries of all public office bearers be increased by only 3%.

Discussion
The Chairperson asked for any questions or comments.

Ms M Mathuba (ANC) commented that the report was straightforward. Although there was a deviation from 3.8% to 3%; there must be a finality on the report by the relevant portfolio committees. She saw no problems and she supported the recommendation.

Mr O Mathafa (ANC) also supported the recommendation of the 3% salary increment and moved for the adoption of the report.

All the Committee members agreed to the President’s recommendation of the 3% salary increment for the year 2022/23. The Committee decision would be tabled in the National Assembly for consideration.

State Capture Report recommendations
The Chairperson referred to the Zondo Commission Report as received by the President in 2022. There were areas in the Report recommendations that were cited as the responsibility of Parliament, and these areas needed to be attended to urgently. Insofar as the Office of the Auditor-General, the critical areas included the Auditor-General paying more attention to the national fiscus. This was a constitutional imperative which ought to be followed. Even before the finalisation of the State Capture report, the Committee paid attention to large institutions such as Eskom. More engagement needed to happen with the Office of the Auditor-General on the recommendations.

The Chairperson’s view was that they prioritise this matter as they head into the fourth term of the year. There was an upcoming meeting on 3 November 2023. This matter should be raised at that meeting to hopefully receive a progress report from the Office of the Auditor-General.

Ms Z Kota-Mpeko (ANC) expressed her support for the Zondo Commission recommendations and suggested that they engage with the Auditor-General on 3 November 2023. The issues raised by the Zondo Commission dealt with matters relating to the King Report on Corporate Governance. Audits were at the heart of the matters handled by the Committee. An urgent engagement needed to occur with the Auditor-General.

The Chairperson said that the implementation progress of the State Capture Report recommendations were being consolidated generally in Parliament. He was very happy that they had begun to resolve the matters alongside the Office of the Auditor-General. The Office had geared itself up for being involved. He was hopeful of a progress report from the Office of the Auditor-General on 3 November 2023.

Study tour to Canada
The Chairperson thanked the support staff who had been at work finalising matters for the upcoming study tour to Canada. This tour was very important as auditing performance is important as this guarantees accountability and transparency. South Africa should be placed alongside other nations who observed such values. As it stood, the basis of the audit findings were in the financial context. How can other countries assist in the outlook for areas of accountability and financial management? The Office of the Auditor-General is at the centre of ensuring performance. The value of such a contribution to the fiscus would be seen practically in such areas. It seemed that all study tour preparations were in progress. He hoped that the matters would be finalised by Wednesday 13 September 2023 in time for the departure of those members leaving over that weekend. He wished Members well on the upcoming trip.

The Chairperson noted that the Committee was part of Mini-Plenary 3 in the National Assembly.

The meeting was adjourned.