ATC130910: Appointment of Auditor-General Report, dated 10 September 2013

Appointment of the Auditor General

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of Auditor-General, dated 10 September 2013.

The Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of the Auditor-General, having considered the appointment of the Auditor-General, referred to it, reports as follows:

 

1. Background and introduction

 

Section 193(5)(a) of the Constitution provides that the National Assembly must recommend for appointment by the President persons nominated by a committee of the National Assembly proportionally composed of members of all parties represented in the Assembly.

Such a recommendation must be approved by a resolution of at least 60 percent of the members of the House in terms of section 193(5 )( b). In terms of section 6(1) of the Public Audit Act No.25 of 2004 (The Act), the Speaker must initiate the recruitment process whenever it becomes necessary to appoint a person as Auditor-General.

As a result the Speaker, in terms of Rule 214 of the Rules of the National Assembly, ensured the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee that was approved as a resolution of the House in the sitting of 4 June 2013, to prepare for the process of filling the upcoming vacancy of the Auditor General. The term of office of the current Auditor-General, Mr T Nombembe will expire on 30 November 2013. In terms of the resolution, the Committee is expected to report to the House on or before 20 September 2013.

An Ad Hoc Committee constituted of the following, started discharging its mandate on 16 July 2013.

African National Congress: 7

Ms S Shope -Sithole

Ms J Moloi-Moropa

Prof. LBG Ndabandaba

Ms MD Nxumalo

Mr T Mufamadi

Mr KA Moloto

Ms J Tshabalala

Democratic Alliance: 2

Dr DT George

Mr J Steenhuisen

Congress of the People: 1

Mr N Koornhof

Inkatha Freedom Party 1

Mr N Singh

The Committee is accordingly submitting its report.

In its first meeting of 16 July 2013 Mr T Mufamadi was unanimously elected the Chairperson of the Committee in accordance with Rule 129 of the Rules of the National Assembly.

In accordance with the principles of transparency and fairness, and all the Constitutional requirements, the Committee decided to place an advertisement calling for interested qualified South Africans to submit, in accordance with section 193(3) of the Constitution their applications for the Committee’s consideration. The advertisement was placed in the national newspapers to run from 19 July 2013 with the closing date of 2 August 2013.

2. Processing of applications received

By the closing date the number and the quality of some of the respondents to the advert were far below the expectations and were very disappointing. Only 12 applications were received, and only three of these met the requirements as stated in the advertisement. Due to that situation and the considerations that the Office of the Auditor-General is a Constitutional Institution, the Committee agreed to extend the closing date to 23 August 2013. Out of 90 applications received by the 23 August 2013, only the following six were found to meet the requirements as stipulated in the advertisement:

1. Shaik Zaitum Bee Gaffair

2. Thembekile Kimi Makwetu

3. Josephine Naicker

4. Kaushic Patel

5. Avhashoni Ramikosi

6. Lily Zondo

The Committee agreed to subject the six candidates to a process of interviews.

3. Interview Process

The Committee interviewed the candidates to test suitability, guided by the advertisement and to confirm what they stated in their applications. Questions in the main focused on each interviewee’s technical knowledge, ability to execute good leadership and management in the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), and ability to work with other people (behavioural) including key critical stakeholders and the general staff of AGSA. Candidates were scored according to their performance during the interview.

In order to achieve the afore-said objective, members asked questions ranging from the understanding of this Chapter 9 institution in support of South African democracy, general understanding of the public finance management with relevant policies and legislations, the funding model the institution is applying, the location of AGSA in the South African Constitution and how this institution should relate with other Chapter 9 institutions in expediting its functions, integrity to possible lessons learnt from Public Finance Management Act (Provincial and National ) and Municipal Finance Management Act (Local government ) audit reports so as to ensure that clean audit is achieved. All the six candidates were given equal opportunity and treated fairly to interact with the panellist to display capability to hold the position of Auditor-General.

4. Observations

The members of the Committee unanimously agreed that only two suitable candidates emerged out of the interviews. Both candidates showed knowledge and understanding of management of public finances and auditing in the public administration; displayed strong leadership qualities; good interpersonal skills and high integrity. The Committee therefore decided that a reference check be conducted on both candidates to assist in this regard and agreed to reconvene on 10 September 2013. In a meeting of 10 September 2013, after the results of the reference check were presented, and after thorough deliberations, the Committee unanimously agreed that Mr TK Makwetu was the most suitable candidate.

5. Committee Nomination

After having interviewed the above candidates on 4 September 2013, in an open meeting at Parliament, the Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of Auditor-General, in accordance with section 193(5 )( a) of the Constitution nominates Mr TK Makwetu , for the consideration and approval in terms of section 193(5)(b) and for the resolution of the National Assembly.

Report to be considered