Scopa 'critical to delivery'
2009-09-28 14:28
Cape Town - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on Monday urged the various legislatures' public accounts committees to strengthen their role even further.
Addressing the Association of Public Accounts Committees conference in Cape Town, he said the government had limited resources.
Therefore, public accounts committees had to ensure they were used effectively, in a manner that would improve on the quality of life of the people and when the global upswing occurred, to position the country to participate meaningfully in the world economy.
"A country's reputation for strong governance practices enhances direct investment, trade and economic growth."
"Successful oversight is a critical transformation factor which ultimately promotes good governance and the effective channelling of public resources," he said.
Priority
Good governance and accountability were values increasingly moving higher up on the global priority list.
There was a global trend towards greater openness in governments' financial management, and around the world there were calls to strengthen public accountability and to re-examine how transparency and good governance could best be achieved.
"Our Constitution specifically requires the legislatures to provide for effective mechanisms of oversight and to ensure that executive organs of state in the national and provincial spheres of government are accountable to legislatures."
"Our democratic system of government is critically dependent on transparency and accountability. The main responsibility for this is in the hands of the South African legislatures," Motlanthe said.
Enforce accountability
When legislatures oversaw and scrutinised the actions of the executive, they helped to enforce government accountability.
The constitution prescribed that members of the executive were collectively and individually accountable and should regularly provide comprehensive reports regarding matters related to the performance of functions under their control.
The need for strong parliamentary oversight and scrutiny guidelines as an essential part of promoting good governance and combating corruption was an internationally accepted fact.
"It is crucial that public accounts committees do not only react to bad management and corruption, but also assist in ensuring that financial affairs are managed properly."
"Public accounts committees must scrutinise problem areas within departments and public entities, and propose corrective action and changes where required."
In the interest of the people
"Members of pubic accounts committees must be willing to go through all reports tabled before them with a fine comb; to ask questions and to make tough decisions in the interest of the people of this country."
Within the context of the global economic downturn, the pursuit of value for money was imperative if the government was to improve service delivery standards.
"We must do more with less. The focus has to be on value for money. Wasteful and unproductive expenditure and corruption cannot be afforded."
"I urge you to critically assess your contribution as oversight committees in improving public sector governance and accountability at all three spheres of government."
"Every member must act without fear or favour and remain committed to and cognisant of the needs of this country and our duty within the public service, so that our public officials know that they will be held accountable for the services or lack of services that they provide to South Africa," Motlanthe said.
- SAPA