21 May 2014

Tthe Office of President is scheduled to re-appear before the 52nd Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting after sufficient information was not given when appearing before the last PAC of the 10th Parliament, Monday May 19.

The PAC resolved that acting Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Arnold Madikwe should interrogate relevant officers on the unanswered matters that were raised at PAC.

The PAC advised that the ministry should also revisit all instances where there was contradiction of commitments to the ones that were made in the previous PAC meetings.


Chairperson of PAC, Mr Nehemiah Modubule said OP should revisit their submission and address all matters that remained unanswered in order to close the gaps and have sufficient information to account well.

On other issues PAC learnt that the departments of information and broadcasting services were scheduled to consult all stakeholders on the election coverage plan for 2014 general elections.

Deputy permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo said the departments would present the plan to all the political parties, Independent Electoral Commission and other stakeholders.

He said this would be meant to give them a chance to appreciate the intent to cover the elections. He said the issue of fairness was contested by all political parties and that the election coverage plan would be the safest way to engage all stakeholders. 


This followed the contention by PAC members that the playing field with regard to coverage of elections by state media was unfair and called the ministry to allay fears that the ruling party was given more mileage.

The PAC also learnt that the delivery of alternative packages under the poverty eradication flagship programme was slow because the Office of the President relied on extension workers and did not have staff members specifically dealing with the programme.

Mr Madikwe also informed PAC members that when backyard gardening was introduced, little was known to the effect that there will be adverse shortage of water especially in the southern region, but noted that alternative packages were in place to complement the setbacks caused by water shortage.

Meanwhile, PAC has advised the National Assembly to exercise prudent filling system and record keeping for proper accounting and information management. 
Mr Modubule said the inconsistencies in the internal controls and monitoring systems in financial matters left a lot to be desired.

Clerk of National Assembly, Ms Barbara Dithapo said they were looking at ways to improve their filing system and admitted that there were problems with internal controls especially the financial checking systems where they facilitate payments for external trips for MPs.

“We seem to be taking longer than expected for members before they get their imprest ready on time, so we need monitoring system in place,” she said.


She said this would enable her office to see as to which programmes worked better in the processing of imprests because sometimes MPs leave for trips without imprests.


She also admitted that record management was a problem as in most cases data was misplaced because they do not have adequate storage facility for hansard and other materials.

“We do not have adequate storage facility to store printed hansards and that is why we are going electronic in our website,” she said.

She further said the parliamentary flats refurbishment will be complete before next parliament starts after elections.

She said the first phase of the western wing was supposed to be complete in February but noted that it was behind schedule and was about to complete. 

She said the eastern wing that has 25 flats will be completed in October just in time for new MPs. Ends