Deputy Speaker, the response is as follows: During the financial year 2009-10, the State Information Technology Agency, or Sita, reported irregular expenditure of approximately R214 million. Of this, the financial loss to Sita of an amount of R130 million had not been determined, due to the fact that a disciplinary hearing was in progress. The disciplinary hearing was concluded during the 2011-12 financial year and the responsible executive authority was subsequently dismissed. Further, the matter was referred to the SAPS. I have the case number here: Brooklyn CAS134/4/2011. So, the SAPS and the Special Investigating Unit are investigating the possibility of criminal conduct, the outcome of which will form the basis of instituting a claim for the recovery of the financial loss suffered, if any.
Furthermore, as part of the investigation by the SAPS, an amount of R18 million is currently being kept in the trust account of Sita lawyers, pending the SAPS investigation. This is because it is alleged, or rather suspected, that the contract in respect thereof may be the basis of criminal conduct.
Thirdly, in the financial year 2010-11 Sita reported, inter alia, irregular expenditure of more than R243 million, in respect of which there was no financial loss suffered. In this matter, further investigation has been conducted by Sita and a report will be provided to the portfolio committee once the case has been concluded.
Mr L Ramatlakane: Deputy Speaker, I thank the Minister for the detailed response. However, you have not answered two parts of the question. What is happening to the 32 cases that was discovered by the Sita forensic audit? Is any action being taken concerning those cases and what is the status?
Lastly, Minister, are you saying that, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act regarding irregular expenditure, you will wait to implement that law until after the police criminal cases have been concluded? This may take years, and the Financial Management Act is very specific about how to deal with officials who have utilised money inappropriately, in terms of call-back. Is that what I am hearing - you are going to wait for two or three years down the line before action is taken?