BY CHAIRPERSON OF STACOV;
HON. NONTEMBEKO BOYCE, MPL
DEBATE BY IFP
On behalf of the IFP I wish to register appreciation to the Hon. Speaker and Management as well as the whole Legislature Administrative Team for the positive finding by the Auditor-General.
It is worth noting that the A-G indicated that the key to “the improvement in the overall audit outcome was “the appointment of personnel in key vacant positions,” as well as “the use of consultants to resolve the qualification on movable tangible capital assets which was closely monitored by management.”
There are a number of lessons in this statement. First; both the personnel employed and consultants were people skilled in their respective fields. Some may have been supporters of the ruling party. But this time the ANC listened and employed people from their skills more than being their supporters. This is commendable. We suspect that the trials the ruling party is going through are teaching them valuable lessons, including listening to advice.
Secondly; the said consultants were employed for a specific task, which they accomplished. Surely they knew their story. We are however, positive that – as the title “consultant” indicates – after the accomplishment of their objective, they will leave.
The third lesson is that this is the beginning for the Legislature Management and Team. We do not expect a relapse. Instead we expect a forward march to being the site of excellence. Because, as we in this House are charged with overseeing the Executive, we cannot afford to have an administration that is failing to be exemplary.
One other factor that is reported to have contributed to “non-compliance with three quotation system and tax clearance certificates,” is that – as an institution committed to uplifting the poor and the formerly marginalised – we have a bias towards up-and-coming enterprises. However, Hon. Speaker, we should always be careful that this commitment does not become our political grave. If we are not careful, it is the very people who in future will crucify this Legislature for failing to be proper stewards of their taxes.
We therefore urge the Legislature Management to push forward with their intention to engage these enterprises. More than anything we urge our people that they must really embrace self-help and self-reliance. Once the government has availed opportunities, our people must seek avenues to empower themselves with various skills and know-how to be able to do a good job. In addition, they must learn to follow procedures because procedures are meant to attain moral and high standards which help attract even big and foreign partners. As servants of the people, we will be failing them and future generations if we embrace mediocrity just because it is by those who were oppressed.
Lastly, we applaud the Management for the “reported that a checklist is in place to promote adherence to compliance requirements” and “a detailed action plan to remedy the risks identified during the audit.” We still support these measures. But these must be implemented with religious zeal. The next report must show us vast improvement as a result of these measures.
