Pretoria - Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi has welcomed the progress made by entities reporting to the Ministry of Communications, to curb fruitless and wasteful expenditure for the 2014/15 financial year.
According to the Auditor General's report, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has seen a drastic reduction in fruitless and wasteful expenditure for the period under review.
However, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has reported an increase in wasteful expenditure.
"I have since written letters to entities that have reported an increase in wasteful expenditure asking them to explain what remedial actions management will take to reduce this occurrence and improve their financial positions," said Minister Muthambi.
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has also obtained a clean audit. The GCIS did not only obtain a clean audit on funds appropriated to its vote, but also on media buying related transactions it procured on behalf of other departments and entities.
Minister Muthambi said she was impressed with GCIS's clean audit status and wanted to implore other entities to achieve the same.
The Minister also expressed concern about lack of consequence management implementation.
"It appears that there is a lack of consequence management implementation. I have also requested the entities to give their management plan because some of the wasteful expenditure could have been avoided," said the minister.
The Ministry of communications has five entities - the SABC, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), Film and Publication Board (FPB), as well as Brand SA.
While the GCIS is a department within the Ministry of Communications, the Auditor-General will this week table a report about status of finances and accountability of the entities that report to the Department of Communications in Cabinet. – SAnews.gov.za
