SCOPA to monitor Prasa’s multi-million rand irregular expenditure
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) said it would monitor the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) closely after its irregular multimillion-Rand expenditure.
The auditor-general recently found that more than R550-million had been irregularly spent at the entity in the last financial year.
In a statement issued by the parliamentary communication services on behalf of Scopa, the chairperson of the committee, Themba Godi, said the intention was to make sure that public money was handled with care at the entity.
“We all should have a sense of national responsibility when dealing with public finances, including officials at Prasa. It is important that we take our work seriously and work in the best interest of the country,” said Godi in the statement.
Prasa appeared before Scopa to explain the gross irregular expenditure, as reported by the AG, in its annual report for the 2014/15 financial year.
At the meeting it was revealed that more than R550m was irregularly spent by Prasa – and that there were challenges with the R59 billion locomotive contract awarded to Gibela Consortium for a new fleet.
Prasa highlighted challenges that included a culture of non-accountability, especially by senior managers.
Godi reportedly asked Prasa to avail reports on the outstanding issues that were raised in the meeting, including a status report on irregular expenditure, the chief financial officer, pending investigations, and disciplinary cases that were ongoing.
“The committee will, upon receiving these reports in two weeks’ time, determine whether to visit Prasa operations or call you to another hearing.
“The meeting marks the beginning of a continuous engagement on aspects that had been raised as abnormalities,” said Godi. -@FanieFLK
