DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 579
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02 March 2012
579. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether his department has an internal audit unit; if not, why not; if
so, (a) how many staff members are employed in the unit and (b) what (i) is
the structure and (ii) are the functions of the unit;
(2) Whether the audit committee considers the internal audit reports; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether he holds meetings to discuss (a) the internal reports and (b)
their findings with the audit unit; if not, why not, in each case; if so,
(i) on what dates since 1 April 2010 has each specified meeting taken place
and (ii) what are the further relevant details? NW744E
Reply:
(1)(a-b)(i) Yes the Department has an Internal Audit unit and has three
staff compliment. The structure of the unit comprises of two internal audit
professionals and an Administrative Officer. The unit has also entered into
co-source arrangement with well known consortium auditing and accounting
firms.
(ii)Â The Internal Audit Unit provides independent, objective assurance
and consulting services designed to add value and improve the departmentâs
operations by evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk
management, internal controls and governance processes.
(2) The audit committee considers the internal audit reports. Every quarter
the Audit Committee holds meetings to discuss reports submitted by the
Internal Audit unit. Amongst other things the following are discussed: The
Departmentâs performance; IT Governance; Risk Management and Litigations
and Management of Accounts.
(3)(a-b)(i-ii) The Minister is informed on matters arising from the
internal audit reports, although the Internal Audit function reports
administratively to the Accounting Officer not to the Minister and
functionally to the Audit Committee.
The Accounting Officer meets regularly with the Internal Auditors and
quarterly with the Audit Committee. The Minister receives Audit Committee
meeting packs for information and noting purposes.
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