The DA in Limpopo is deeply concerned by the unprecedented, bold and desperate move by Social Development MEC, Florence Radzilani to attempt to withdraw the department’s 2023/24 Annual Report citing a dispute lodged against the Auditor General’s (AG) audit outcome on the departmental performance.
The Limpopo Department for Social Development received a qualified audit opinion for 2023/2024. This was the first qualified audit opinion following four consecutive unqualified audit opinions in the preceding four years.
What makes this desperate attempt even more unscrupulous is the fact that the Department participated in all the relevant dispute resolution mechanisms, but failed to timeously lodge such disputes but waited until after the AG report was signed off. The MEC also failed to raise any of these disputes or concerns when the Annual report was debated and adopted in the Limpopo Legislature, a process she took part in herself.
The general powers and responsibilities for MECs, are set out in section 125(2) of the Constitution and requires that MECs exercise their executive authority through a wide range of responsibilities that include implementing national and provincial laws; developing and implementing provincial policy.
Section 40 (1) and (3) of the Public Finance Management Act read with and chapter 18 (18.3 and 18.4) of the Treasury Regulations sets out the legislative requirements for annual reports. The request by the MEC is therefore a clear attempt by her to avoid her responsibilities of holding the administration accountable and makes her complicit in the attempts by the department to sweep possible corruption and maladministration under the carpet.
This type of outrageous behaviour is not new for Radzilani, who is also the ANC deputy chairperson in Limpopo, and is accused of corrupt dealings in the VBS Mutual Bank Scandal. These allegations seem to indicate that Radzilani has a penchant for skirting her legal obligations.
The committee unanimously supported the Chairperson in rejecting this request to withdraw a report that was already fully debated in the Legislature. The Committee made it clear that the department and the MEC will not be allowed to diminish the committee’s role to conduct effective oversight.
The Democratic Alliance is committed to ensuring government departments adhere to their legislative mandates and foster a culture of accountability and transparency. The DA will continue to monitor this issue until it is resolved.