Nomvula Mokonyane Bosasa

File photo shows former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane briefs media on agreements reached with certain municipalities to settle their outstanding water debt [Photo: GCIS]

Water and Sanitation Department’s R6.4 billion irregular expenditure shocker

That’s a lot of irregularities.

Nomvula Mokonyane Bosasa

File photo shows former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane briefs media on agreements reached with certain municipalities to settle their outstanding water debt [Photo: GCIS]

According to the Auditor-General, irregular expenditure by the Water and Sanitation Department has topped R6.5 billion since 2014.

The issues started when former minister Nomvula Mokonyane was appointed to the portfolio by then President Jacob Zuma. She was reshuffled to the communications portfolio this year.

And it could get even worse as the extent of irregular, wasteful and fruitless spending has yet to be fully assessed.

Parliament will launch an inquiry into the mess, but that doesn’t change much right now. MPs were told by Andries Sekgotho of the Auditor-General’s office that the department’s disclosure of R4 billion in irregular expenditure was not the full story.

Almost R2.5 billion was not disclosed by the department.

“If you want to get [the] context of what we know of irregular expenditure, it’s not just the R4 billion. It’s actually the R4 billion plus the R2,5 billion. So, when we talk [about] irregular expenditure in this portfolio, it’s the amount of R6,5 billion, and not just the R4 billion that’s [been] disclosed [by the department].”

The terms of reference for a looming parliamentary inquiry into the department are set to be finalised next week.

In a statement, DWS said that this wouldn’t have been indicated because the process of “finalisation” was yet to be concluded.

“These financials as would be finalised by the DWS acting chief financial officer would then be audited accordingly by the auditor-general’s office, which audit must be finalised by July 31, 2018. That process, together with the requisite engagement with the AG’s office, will indicate what the ultimate figure would be,” said the department.

“The DWS is of the opinion that all matters relating to the final outcomes of this process be articulated once the process is completed and all engagements finalised. The DWS takes the work and articulation of the AG’s office seriously and the cooperation between the DWS and the AG’s office is regarded as paramount to ensure the DWS is properly accountable to South Africans on matters involving the fiscus.”