The Democratic Alliance in Mpumalanga has launched a lifestyle audit motion on all heads of departments, saying this will promote accountability.
Anerie Weber, DA MPL, said this was also motivated by the two heads of departments that have recently been suspended on allegations of corruption.
She highlighted that it was important to conduct these lifestyle audits on the HODs, acting HODs, CFOs, acting CFOs, and secretary of the legislature.
Agriculture HOD
“The HOD of Agriculture has been at home for more than seven weeks without a proper doctor’s letter. Why? No explanation, but the salary doesn’t stop. Being paid for no work done.
“Public works are on slow strike for the past year as the department doesn’t like the HOD. Employees that are responsible for the health of the province and taking care of people cannot have the right to play with people’s lives like this. Their mandate is to deliver services. Personal issues cannot and should not have an impact on the delivery of services to the most vulnerable,” said Weber.
She also noted the suspension of the education HOD, Lucy Moyane. She is still being investigated for alleged procurement irregularities. The HOD of Sport, Arts and Culture, Godfrey Ntombela, has also been suspended. He is accused of misusing Covid-19 funds in the department.
Human Settlements
The Department of Human Settlements is also under the Special Investigating Unit probe on alleged maladministration.
“HODs are appointed to take care of the citizens of the province. To ensure that they get a proper education so that they can live out their dreams. Also grow the economy, take care of their families, and ensure that the vulnerable are safe and taken care of.
“But, instead, human trafficking increases, GBVF increases, poverty increases, unemployment is rising. The high cost of living and lack of food parcels to the vulnerable persists. But the insurance on cars in the departments will rise from one year to the next. With up to R12, 000 per car per month,” said Weber.
Thoko Mashiane, ActionSA Mpumalanga chairperson and MPL, has rejected the motion.
Mashiane argues that the motion lacks fairness, clarity, and proper accountability.
She delivered the party response during a sitting of the provincial legislature. ActionSA supports the idea of lifestyle audits but not in a way that has been proposed.
Exposing corruption
She explained that lifestyle audits can be a powerful tool in exposing corruption. Also in dealing with unethical behaviour, and rebuilding public trust in government institutions. But she claimed that the motion falls short.
“Let’s be honest, a half-truth is still a lie. You cannot claim to be serious about fighting corruption when you deliberately exclude its most powerful enablers, the politicians,” said Mashiane.
“Politicians sign off, politicians benefit. And politicians protect,” she added.
Mashiane said the motion only focuses on public officials. These include heads of departments, CFOs, and the secretary to the legislature. But it but leaves out politicians.
She said accountability should apply to everyone and not only civil servants. Mashiane is calling for the inclusion of all political figures in the lifestyle audits. Both members of the executive and the opposition.
“This takes us down the path of another Zondo Commission-style process. An initiative that spent billions of rands investigating corruption. Only for very few meaningful prosecutions to follow,” said Mashiane.
ActionSA rejects format
She highlighted that lifestyle audits should be transparent and time-bound. They should be conducted by independent institutions. And must include political office-bearers and opposition figures, and lead to real accountability.
Mashiane also rejected the suggestion that Ndlovu should include the secretary of the legislature in the audits.
“Corruption doesn’t wear a badge that says ‘official’. It wears the face of anyone, politician or administrator, who abuses public resources for personal gain. If we are truly committed to cleaning up Mpumalanga, we must start in all corners of government and politics. Not just the convenient ones,” said Mashiane.
