ATC210524: Report of the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General, dated 21 May 2021

Standing Committee on Auditor General

Report of the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General, dated 21 May 2021

The Standing Committee on the Auditor-General reports on its consideration of the Determination of Remuneration of Independent Constitutional Institutions as follows:

1. BACKGROUND

The Speaker of the National Assembly referred to the Committee (ATC 51, 22 April 2021) the draft notice from the President of the Republic of South Africa (dated 13 April 2021) for consideration and report. The latter notified the National Assembly of the President’s determination of the salaries and allowances of members of the Independent Constitutional Institutions, in terms of the Determination of Remuneration of Office-Bearers of Independent Constitutional Institutions Laws Amendment Act, 2014 (Act No. 22 of 2014).

The President received the annual salary recommendations for the Public Office-Bearers of the Independent Constitutional Institutions from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.

The Commission having considered, amongst others, the fiscal condition of the country, the State's wage bill and the impact of Public Office Bearers' salary increment on the fiscus and general economic status of the country which has been negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, affordability of the fiscus, recommended 0% salary increment for all public office bearers for the financial year 2020/21.
 

1. CONTEXT

Section 7(1) of the Public Audit Act, 2004 (Act No. 25 0f 2004), requires the salaries and benefit or allowances of the Auditor-General, to be determined by the President, from time to time, by notice in the Gazette, and approved by the National Assembly.

The President reports [see attached letter] that he has taken into consideration the economic challenges the country is experiencing, as well as the current fiscal constraints and thus intended to make the determination in respect of the Auditor-General, with effect from 01 April 2021 as follows:

• Auditor-General of SA: 0% salary increment recommended for the financial year.
  
  3. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

 

On 21 May 2021, the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General considered, supported and approved the intended Determination by the President of the Republic, in relation to the Auditor-General of South Africa.

 

 

Report to be considered.