via The Interview: ‘Audits keep State entities on their toes’ | The Herald July 4, 2015
Over the past weeks, the media have been awash with reports of malfeasance in Government entities which were based on the report from the office of the Auditor-General. Analysts and experts have been calling for action on the findings and recommendations by the Auditor- General. The Herald’s Political Editor Tichaona Zindoga (TZ) sought audience with Auditor-General Mrs Mildred Chiri (MC) on her work and what needs to be done. Below are the excerpts:
TZ: The office and person of the Auditor-General have been under the spotlight in the past few weeks following damning reports of malfeasance in Government institutions. First of all, tell us what your office is mandated to do.
MC: My mandate is derived from Section 309 of the Constitution which is to audit, examine and report to Parliament on the public accounts of Zimbabwe which is:
a) To audit the accounts, financial system and financial management of all departments, institutions and agencies of Government, all provincial and metropolitan councils and all authorities;
b) At the request of the Government, to carry out special audits of the accounts of any statutory body or Government-controlled entity;
c) To order the taking of measures to rectify any defects in management and safeguarding of public property; and
d) To exercise any other functions that may be conferred or imposed on me by or under an Act of Parliament;
After audit of these entities I produce an annual audit report which is tabled in Parliament. In carrying out these audits I am guided by the Audit Office Act.
TZ: Your office is expected to be independent. How free do you feel to discharge your duties and mandate? Surely, you are bound to step on some toes?
MC: My independence is derived from Section 311 of the Constitution where I am only subject to the law. My independence is further enunciated by Section 5 and 8 of the Audit Office Act (Chapter 22:18), which gives me complete discretion in the discharge of my functions. I have the freedom to look at any area and my report is tabled in Parliament. The reason why I report to Parliament is to safeguard my independence. The issues covered in my reports cut across the whole of the public sector. In conducting these audits, I am guided by the International Auditing Standards, rules and regulations.
TZ: Your office has been making such reports and recommendations since as early as 1898 (in colonial times) and in your case since 2004. Do you think they have been followed up properly?
MC: The Parliament through the Public Accounts Committee has been calling upon accounting officers, boards and chief executives to explain the actions that they would have taken following audit recommendations. Over the years I have noted improvements in the implementation of recommendations.
TZ: Why do you think your recommendations have not been followed to the letter and what can be done to rectify the situation?
MC: My audit recommendations are being followed up by different arms of Government, that include the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ministry of Finance, commissions, Parliament through the Public Accounts Committee and respective parent ministries for parastatals and local authorities. I also review the implementation of recommendations and issues that remain outstanding continue featuring in my reports.
TZ: Audits chew a lot of money and time. Would you say taxpayers are getting value for money from the exercise?
MC: Taxpayers are benefiting from my audits. I produce my reports annually and in addition I produce value for money reports outlining to the public the utilisation of resources and implementation of programmes. The implementation of my recommendations goes a long way in improving the lives of the Zimbabweans.
TZ: Do you think the law is adequate in facilitating the operations of your office?
MC: The laws are adequate, as the Constitution and the Audit Office Act provides for the establishment of the office. However, because of economic challenges, currently the office is constrained in that it is not able to recruit and retain the number of staff members required. I am currently contracting out some of the parastatals and local authority audits to private audit firms. Although the Act provides for this, my wish is to reduce the number of contracted out audits.
TZ: Does the office of the Auditor-General, in your view, need more powers?
MC: The powers given to the office by the Constitution are adequate as there are other arms of Government which complement the accountability process, for example Parliament.
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