GPG'S RESPONSE TO A-G'S FINDINGS
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) wishes to respond to the matter as reported in the weekend media.
We note that the manner in which the media reported the findings of the Auditor-General (A-G) is lacking contextual information and meaning to the public. Firstly it is important to distinguish the difference between unauthorized expenditure, wasteful expenditure and irregular expenditure and importantly the manner in which these are dealt with within public sector.
An unauthorized expenditure is defined as (a) an overspending of a vote or a main division within a vote and (b) expenditure not in accordance with the purpose of a vote or in the case of a main division, not in accordance with the purpose of the main division.
Wasteful expenditure means an expenditure which was made in vain and would have been avoided had reasonable care been expected.
Irregular expenditure means expenditure, other than unauthorized expenditure incurred in contravention of or that is not in accordance with a requirement of any applicable legislation, including (a) this Act; (b) State Tender Board Act, 1968, or any regulations made in terms of that Act; or (c) any provincial legislation providing for procurement procedures in that provincial government.