Parliament, Tuesday 23 October 2018 – The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by Speaker of the National Assembly, (NA), Ms Baleka Mbete and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, (NCOP), Ms Thandi Modise, would like to express immense concern about reported threats being made against the lives of audit managers of the Auditor-General, performing audits in the Emfuleni, Tshwane, Madibeng and Moretele municipalities.

The Presiding Officers find such threats completely unacceptable and extremely worrisome as the office of the Auditor-General is mandated to ensure good governance. Furthermore, being a Chapter 9 Institution, the office of the Auditor-General, finds its origin from our Constitution, with the purpose of supporting our democracy. As such, an assault on its work, is in essence, an assault on the Constitution of the Republic, from which it originates.

Further concerning, these latest threats come only a few months after similar threats were level against other audit teams at work in eThekweni and Msunduzi, Kwa-Zulu Natal in May.

As Parliament, it is our Constitutional mandate to protect and assist all Chapter 9 Institutions to ensure their independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness. As such, we call upon the South African Police Service to resume in earnest, with investigations on these latest threats against the Office of the Auditor-General.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo 082 370 6930