Limpopo Public Works’ financial report submission rejected by SCOPA

The Limpopo Public Works and Infrastructure Department has been turned back by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) from presenting its financial report as its documents were not properly filed.

SCOPA was due to conduct public hearings on the audit outcomes of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years.

SCOPA’s meeting with officials from the department led by MEC Tonny Rachuene lasted less than 15 minutes.

SCOPA chairperson Esther Mokwele has given the Public Works authorities seven days to properly file and present the report.

“We found the document not user-friendly; therefore as a committee recommended and resolved we recommended and immediately and resolved that go back and do diligence for the committee you will be given seven days to correct.”

In response, Rachuene has expressed disappointment and promised to rectify their mistakes. “HOD and your team I’m very disappointed we have to account to the people of Limpopo province for what we have done over the two financial years but we find ourselves have to be returned back because of issues of annexures is very disappointing on behalf of the department I take responsibility and we assure the committee that we will go back and do diligence.”

Some road projects in various parts of the province have been left incomplete.

In October last year, the department appointed another contractor to complete the Mavhunga access road project. This was after the initial contractor left the site incomplete citing non-payment by the department.