Question NW3599 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
17 November 2023 - NW3599
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Considering the allegations of lack of accountability and delayed impact assessment reports from the African Renaissance Fund (ARF), what specific mechanisms has her department put in place to ensure that the migration of the ARF to the SA Development Partnership Agency will improve the financial management practices of the ARF?
Reply:
The African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF) has managed to receive unqualified audit opinions from the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) for the past five (05) consecutive years. This is an indication that the ARF Secretariat demonstrated accountability in relation to the administration and monitoring of the Fund and has also managed to establish internal controls and financial management practices that are in line with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations.
The current internal controls and financial management practices of the ARF will continue to be implemented and further strengthened when the Fund migrates to the South African Development Partnership Fund (SADPA). The establishment of the fully-fledged agency will enable for the creation of a staff compliment as compared to the current officials working under the ARF as well as the development of financial systems and processes for the agency.