The Eastern Cape government should without delay implement and rigorously enforce action plans to arrest the tide which is currently sweeping the province further away from the goal of achieving clean administration by 2014.

These action plans, Auditor-General (AG) Terence Nombembe says, should include addressing leadership stability, ensuring adequate and vigorous monitoring of internal controls, proper resourcing and the production of monthly information that is credible.

In addition, it is important that all members of the executive council (MECs) and heads of departments (HoDs) align and streamline their working relationships to ensure effective leadership.

Nombembe says that his office was encouraged by Premier Noxolo Kieviet’s recent mention during her State of the Province Address that the province was committed to achieving clean administration.

"My office is aware of some of the provincial government’s efforts towards removing administrative/governance impediments that are standing between the Eastern Cape and overall clean administration, but we had hoped the Premier would use her 2013 address to articulate the internal control measures already put in place to eliminate the above obstacles, and rally public servants to improve governance systems in line with the audit recommendations the provincial leadership has committed to implementing,” said Nombembe.

Click here to download the full document