ATC111018: Report on Eleventh Report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the unauthorised expenditure of the Department of Correctional Services

Public Accounts (SCOPA)

Eleventh Report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the unauthorised expenditure of the Department of Correctional Services dated 18 October 2011.

 

 

The Committee on Public Accounts (the Committee) considered and heard evidence on the unauthorised expenditure of the Department of Correctional Services (the Department) in relation to the 2008/09 financial year and reports as follows:

 

1. Background

 

The Committee notes unauthorised expenditure totalling R483.821 million, incurred during the 2008/09 financial year. The Department overspent its budget by R483.821 million, owing to the implementation of Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council Resolution of 2007, which made it obligatory for the department to compensate overtime in monetary terms, rather than through time off work. The huge spending of R1.2 billion on overtime in 2008/09 was mainly due to delays in the implementation of the “seven-day establishment”. Once the seven day establishment is fully implemented, the DCS will operate on a seven day, rather than a five day work week, and thus weekend over-time will no longer need to be paid.

 

 

2. Recommendation

 

The Committee recommends that the amount of R483.821 million relating to the 2008/09 financial year, be funded through savings from the Department’s budget.

 

 

Report to be considered.