Committee Legacy Report

Meeting report

The Chairperson checked Members’ attendance and indicated that the meeting may commence.

Chairperson’s opening remarks

The Chairperson highlighted that the closing of a chapter (the end of the Sixth Parliament) symbolises the beginning of another chapter. The purpose of the legacy report is to inform the next Committee of the areas where the Standing Committee had fallen short of. He commented that the Committee had started the term very well. The Public Audit Act had only been in implementation for one year at the time. With the Act, the Committee managed to have a clear outlook and to ensure that the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) operates independently and could do its work without fear or favour.

He commended the outstanding work of AGSA which guarantees that the public purse is in safe hands. There are great outcomes which are shown in the reports that the Committee received for the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) audits. They objectively formulate a path of accountability for those who must account for public funds. Those officials who fail to account would have consequences.

He commended the Committee’s for its great achievement during the term.

The Chairperson indicated that the Committee had received an apology from Ms P Mpushe (ANC) as she had lost her father over the weekend. On behalf of the Committee, he sent her the Committee’s condolences.

Consideration and adoption of the Committee Legacy Report

The Committee was taken through its legacy report.

Details of the legacy report may be found here https://pmg.org.za/tabled-committee-report/5756/

Members suggested that the Committee had gone through the report and there was no need to go through the report page by page again.

They were all satisfied with the report and had made inputs accordingly.

The report was duly adopted.

Committee Minutes

Committee minutes dated 8 March 2024 were adopted.

Chairperson’s closing remarks

The Chairperson indicated that since this would be the last meeting of the term or may be the last meeting for the Committee, he indicated that it was a pleasure to have served on the Committee. He wished that such good spirits would be carried into the future and be in service for communities. The work which the AGSA does on oversight and accountability of public funds is of critical importance.

He thanked all political parties and wished everyone the best in the upcoming election in order to serve the country.

He thanked Mr O Mathafa (ANC) for serving as the majority party whip for the Committee.

He thanked the Committee’s support staff for the work they did in this sixth term.

Mr Mathafa thanked the Chairperson for his astute leadership. It was under his leadership that the Committee assisted the AG to reach success in its work. As was revealed through the Committee’s last interaction with the AGSA, there was never a time when the AGSA did feel not supported.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.