The auditor-general has highlighted irregular expenditure worth R5 million at the Department of Communications (DOC).
In the recently-released report on National Audit Outcomes 2008-09, the state auditor pointed out the department spent R5.1 million irregularly, because it did not follow procurement procedures.
The DOC's annual statement for the year to March 2009 does not indicate where this money was spent, only that “disciplinary steps taken/criminal proceedings” are “in progress”.
In the previous year, R6.4 million in irregular expenditure was later condoned by the department's bid adjudication committee.
Millions misspent
The auditor-general audited Parliament, 10 constitutional institutions, 33 national departments, 177 national public entities and 34 national other entities at national government level.
In total, 17 national departments incurred irregular expenditure amounting to R529.8 million, of which R127.3 million was condoned during audit.
The DOC was one of 14 national departments to receive a financially unqualified (with other matters) audit due to its irregular expenditure. The department's audit report is the fifth consecutive year in which it has received an unqualified, with other matters, opinion from the auditor-general.
However, communications is considered as being among 11 departments that can achieve a clean audit if it complies with legislation, says the report.
Wasted money
Also highlighted in the report is the Independent Communications Authority of SA's Revenue Fund, which received a qualified opinion.
The auditor-general found wasteful and irregular expenditure at the authority. ICASA incurred irregular expenditure worth R387 081 because it did not comply with supply chain management processes.
Among the auditor-general's other findings were that the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) and Department of Science and Technology received clean audit reports.
The report states the Department of Science and Technology is “exemplary” as it has maintained a financially unqualified audit opinion for the past three years. GCIS has kept its clean status for the past two years.
SA's State IT Agency again received a financially unqualified audit report, with other matters highlighted. This is the fifth year in a row it has received this opinion.
Related story:
Auditor points fingers at ICASA
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