Hon Chairperson of the House, the Standing Committee on Auditor-General undertook a study tour to Austria from 6 to 13 October 2012 with the objective of understanding the location of the Auditor-General of Austria within the system of Austria. The second objective of the study was to understand the Auditor-General's relationship with the parliament of Austria. The third objective was to understand the system of performance audit and accountability in Austria. The purpose of this study tour should be understood within the context of the role of the National Assembly in the process of appointing the Auditor-General of South Africa.
Section 181(1)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa recognises the Auditor-General as one of the state institutions that strengthens democracy in the Republic. It further states that:
These institutions are independent, and subject only to the Constitution and the law, and they must be impartial and must exercise their powers and perform their functions without fear, favour or prejudice.
The Auditor-General is independent, and subject only to the Constitution and the law and, in this instance, it's subject to the Constitution and the Public Audit Act.
The Constitution further states that "no person or organ of state may interfere with the functioning of" the Auditor-General. The office of the Auditor-General is "accountable to the National Assembly" on its activities and the performance of its functions. The Auditor-General may be removed from office only with the adoption of the resolution by the National Assembly calling for the Auditor-General's removal from office on the grounds stipulated in the Constitution.
I'm restating this familiar constitutional provision to put the necessary emphasis on the central role played by Parliament in the work of the Auditor-General, which underlies the importance of this study tour. I would be lacking in attention to duty if I omit to remind the members of this House that the term of the office of the current Auditor-General, Mr Terence Nombembe, will expire on 30 November 2013. Section 6(1) of the Public Audit Act states that:
Whenever it becomes necessary to appoint a person as Auditor-General, the Speaker must initiate the process in the National Assembly for the recommendation of a person to the President for appointment as Auditor- General as set out in section 193 of the Constitution. It is crucial to state this provision in order to enrich the process that is about to unfold in the appointment process of the new Auditor-General and draw lessons from the work of the Standing Committee on Auditor- General.
Allow me to focus on our interaction with the International Anticorruption Academy, IACA, as one of the recommendations of the committee and is based on the work of this academy. Evidence from the work of various law enforcement agencies globally attests to the fact that corruption can no longer be fought with traditional methods. The scourge of corruption imitates and takes various forms.
The International Anticorruption Academy's mission is to deliver education and training to and facilitate education and training for law enforcement agencies. This agency was initiated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in collaboration with the Republic of Austria. Other African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Cape Verde, and Uganda have already joined the International Anticorruption Academy. It is our considered view that South African membership of the International Anticorruption Academy will assist in enhancing the capacity of South Africa's anticorruption agencies. It will ensure that our agencies are exposed to the experiences of other member states in their fight against corruption.
We also recommend that the government intensifies the use of performance audits. Such audits, in monitoring performance of government, will assist in service delivery.
Lastly, we recommend the proper establishment of municipal accounts and audit committees. The establishment of these municipal structures will go a long way in ensuring that public funds are put to good use and sufficient accountability systems are put in place. Thank you.
There was no debate.
House Chair, I move: That the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.