The Office of the Auditor-General (AGSA) has commissioned an independent review and disciplinary action against its chief people officer Mlungisi Mabaso.
In a statement on Thursday, AGSA said the move stems from alleged accusations of corruption and misconduct levelled by Mabaso against auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke during a meeting on June 27.
Mabaso alleged that Maluleke is corrupt in her current position and that she was also corrupt during her tenure as deputy auditor-general, according to AGSA.
“Mr Mabaso accused Maluleke of being corrupt, unprofessional and unethical as [auditor-general] currently, as well as in her previous deputy auditor-general role. The chief people officer wanted mutual separation [financial settlement] in exchange for him not going public with the allegations,” said AGSA.
“In the interest of accountability and transparency, the [auditor general] acted swiftly and reported the chief people officer’s conduct, along with the allegations he had made against her to the current [deputy auditor-general] Mr Vonani Chauke, who is also the AGSA’s accounting officer.
“Mr Chauke in turn instituted an independent legal review of the two matters. These were conducted by Bowmans, a law firm.”
AGSA said Maluleke has been cleared of the allegations of corruption while Mabaso has been charged with gross misconduct, adding that Mabaso’s fate will be decided at the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings.
Said AGSA: “The legal opinion into the legality of the transactions and decisions made by Ms Maluleke has since been concluded and has found no merit in the allegations that the [auditor general’s] conduct amounted to corruption or unprofessional, unethical behaviour.
“While the investigation into the conduct of the chief people officer has led to charges of gross misconduct against him and a disciplinary process, the chief people officer is on precautionary suspension until the completion of the disciplinary enquiry, which will be chaired by an independent senior counsel appointed for this purpose.
“He is expected to appear before a disciplinary committee before the end of September 2022.”
Maluleke said the allegations against her are serious and should not be taken lightly.
“We have adopted a stance that if we are to add value to strengthen the systems of integrity, transparency, accountability, and performance in public institutions, we must hold ourselves to the same standards or better yet, lead by example in demonstrating an ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency, accountability, and performance,” said the auditor-general.
“This does not mean we are infallible, but it means we must be accountable and open to learning and correction. We will study the report and consider any recommendations of strengthening our processes and governance. I remain focused on my constitutional mandate and will continue to execute it without fear or favour.”
In July, Sakeliga, a business community taking up its constitutional duty to resist state power and reform failing business environments, accused Maluleke of concealing crucial information pertinent to corruption and misconduct in over 150 municipalities.
Sakeliga’s legal and liaison officer, Tian Alberts, said at the time that the organisation has initiated a lawsuit compelling Maluleke to publicise undisclosed management reports. It also noted that the auditor-general had [at the time] only released summary audit reports “while the advanced management reports were reserved for the municipal and other state authorities themselves”.
According to Alberts, the release of the management audit reports will herald a new era in municipal litigation, accountability for state officials, and disclosure of how taxes were spent.
“Although the auditor-general has a constitutional duty to make the management reports public, it has never been released,” said Alberts.
Sakeliga found out about the existence of the management reports during its litigation on municipal failure in North West.
Alberts further said Sakeliga intended to analyse and release the reports to chambers of commerce, civil society organisations, and the public to support the organisation in its efforts to expose state failure.
In August, Sakeliga said the auditor-general had opposed its motion. “The auditor-general has indicated their intention to oppose Sakeliga’s court application to obtain the annual management reports of 154 problem municipalities,” said Sakeliga.
The organisation said Maluleke would need to file an answering affidavit in the case, “after which Sakeliga will take further steps to bring the case to trial”.
Also read: Sakeliga drags auditor-general to court over concealed municipal reports
To read more political news and views, click here.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
