Thank you, Chairperson. Deputy Minister, in order to explain the discrepancies and the lack of financial accounting in the Department of Defence, the members continue to hide behind the fact that your department inherited an outdated financial management system which, admittedly, may have had a direct effect on the ability of the Department of Defence to address some of the system's related qualifications or emphasis of the matter by the Auditor-General. However, hon Deputy Minister, not everything can be blamed on or attributed to the old system. The Auditor-General has also indicated that many of the problems that are related to the Auditor-General's qualified report are direct consequences of noncompliance with the established internal accounting policies and procedures including lack of internal control, checks and balances.
Moreover, the asset registers that should accompany claims for expenditure are not maintained. For example, a total of R463,4 million for travel and subsistence claims was submitted without relevant supporting documents. An amount of R170 million in salary increases was not disclosed as well as another R959 000 for fruitless and wasteful expenditure which has been noted. Honestly, this is unacceptable and inexcusable. Action is certainly required.
You said that no action was taken against any member. So these issues are going to recur. You will see them in all annual reports - they will come again and again. People must be held accountable, Minister. That is what is expected of you, sir. What do you intend doing to bring those who are responsible to book? They must be held accountable. This can't go on. Thank you.