Question NW2843 to the Minister of Finance
21 August 2015 - NW2843
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to (a) his reply to question 2471 on 24 July 2015, in which he stated that the National Treasury will not be conducting any forensic audit at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality at that stage as the information at hand indicated that the Office of the Public Protector was in the process of conducting an investigation at the specified municipality and that the National Treasury will decide on an appropriate way forward based on the findings and recommendations of the investigation and (b) a letter from the Office of the Public Protector (details furnished) which clearly indicates that the specified municipality is refusing to co-operate with the Office of the Public Protector despite giving assurances that it would, what action does he intend taking to compel the municipality to comply with the requests of the Office of the Public Protector; (2) whether he will reconsider conducting an investigation of the specified municipality; if not, why not?
Reply:
- The National Treasury will not be conducting any investigations at the municipality, as the information at hand indicates that the Office of the Public Protector is still in the process of pursuing this investigation at the municipality. The Public Protector intends to seek cooperation of the municipality through application of its legislation, i.e. to issue a subpoena against the Executive Mayor to cooperate with the request.
- National Treasury will allow the processes planned to be implemented by the Office of the Public Protector to unfold. National Treasury will decide thereafter on appropriate action upon the matter being referred by the Office of the Public Protector.