Hon Deputy Minister, there is a time and a place for consultants, but we must get value for money. We do have a concern about the use of consultants as noted in the 2011-12 Annual Report. Of the R91 million spent on consultants, about R56 million relates to sanitation yet we have underspent on our sanitation programme. After the presentation of the second quarter's report, it looks as if after a spend of only 8% after half a year we may again end up underspending in this year if we do not urgently address the situation.
Now, there were inconsistencies in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 Annual Reports. Consultants were used to review the White Paper on Basic Household Sanitation. In 2011, the report tells us that 10 consultants were used and paid R2 million, whilst in 2012, one was used and paid R1 million.
With those concerns in mind, the question is: What mechanisms do you have in place in the department to ensure that consultants are appointed only after a careful assessment has been done as to whether they are needed; and whether as a result of the work done, there will be delivery on the ground? Will the hon Deputy Minister ensure that we do get value for money?