12 Mar 2026

Members of Parliament have called for the autonomy of the Auditor General, with some arguing that the post should be ranked higher than that of a Permanent Secretary. 

Debating the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG ) budget proposals in Parliament on Tuesday, some MPs, including Gabane/Mmankgodi MP, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, argued the organisation was poorly placed under the Ministry of State President, Defence and Security. Mr Mmusi called for the engagement of private auditors to help the OAG cover the period when the Government Accounting and Budgeting System (GABS) was down. 

He emphasised that during the country’s current financial constraints, it was imperative to keep audits up to date and trace exactly how public funds were spent. MP Reason Lekutlane of Kgalagadi North and Kgatleng West MP, Dr Unity Dow shared the same sentiments. Mr Lekutlane noted that under the current structure, the Auditor General could not effectively carry out its mandate against its parent ministry. 

He echoed the need for private auditors, expressing concern that delays at the Accountant General’s office subsequently stalled the Auditor General’s work. On one hand, Dr Dow opined that without complete independence, the OAG remained prone to political interference and external pressure. She highlighted that the organisation was under-resourced, struggled with limited capacity and lacked of tools. 

She stressed that ministries must provide timely data and voiced concern over the frequent failure to implement the Auditor General’s previous recommendations. Regarding data integrity, Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi argued that the organisation’s database should not be managed by the Ministry of Communications and Innovation, saying that could lead to data tampering.

 However, Minister David Tshere clarified that his ministry maintained professional standards while managing databases for various government entities. Letlhakeng MP, Brigadier Domcaza Mokgwathi stated that auditing was a vital role that required independence, continuous processes and properly trained staff. 

Specially elected MP, Major Gen. Pius Mokgware, argued that the Auditor General should be granted more powers rather than just offering recommendations. Mr Mokgware further advocated for adequate manpower with access to the latest technology. 

MP Taolo Lucas of Bobonong expressed concern that the Auditor General currently lacked the authority to audit land boards and described that the exclusion as substantial oversight. Meanwhile, Parliament approved the OAG’s P129 million budget request for the 2026/27 financial year. BOPA