Media Statement: Scopa to Engage Relevant Stakeholders on Siu Funding Model

To download the soundbite of the Chairperson of SCOPA, Mr Songezo Zibi click here: https://iono.fm/e/1474874

Parliament, Tuesday, 27 August 2024 - The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) will undertake further engagements on the funding model of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to ensure that the unit is adequately resourced. The SIU is owed R1 047 billion by municipalities, national and provincial departments and state-owned entities.

In terms of the current funding model of the SIU, 40 percent of the funding comes from the National Treasury while it is expected to raise 60% by invoicing the entities it investigates. SCOPA wants a funding model that guarantees adequate resources for the SIU's fight against corruption and maladministration. The committee is aware that the SIU is following up on the outstanding debt owed to them through a project named "Operation Khokhela". The committee believes that it is in the interest of South Africa for the SIU to be adequately resourced.

On Tuesday, SCOPA continued with the induction program for its new members and received a briefing from the SIU on its mandate, its powers, how its work links with that of Parliament, SIU value chain, its motivation and proclamation process, outcomes of investigations, SIU referrals and specific cases it handles.

The committee noted other issues that emerged during the briefing. The SIU also presented the current national departments and state-owned entities' proclamations and is investigating matters with a contract value of R194 billion. This reveals the magnitude of work that is being done by the SIU and is a motivation for it to be properly resourced.

SCOPA will follow up on the tracking of the cases the SIU refers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution and the rate of conviction. The committee has also noted the SIU Referrals Coordination and Monitoring Mechanism Technology Platform that has informed innovations such as the establishment of a single register for dismissals and resignations. This will also attend to the challenge of the movement of officials who are dismissed from one state institution and move to another institution within the civil service.

On Wednesday, the committee will be briefed by the Office of the Accountant-General on initiatives undertaken to enforce consequences using the Public Finance Management Act, collaboration with the Auditor-General of South Africa, how the OAG can support SCOPA in exercising its oversight function, National Treasury Instruction No. 4 of 2022/2023 and understanding departmental annual reports. The committee will also be briefed by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer on its mandate and functions, supply chain management processes, deviations, and expansions.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF SCOPA, MR SONGEZO ZIBI.

For media enquiries, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Ms Faith Ndenze
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8062
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: [email protected]

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