SOEs to account as Committee begins review
Mpho Mokwape | Wednesday May 6, 2026 06:00
The exercise forms part of Parliament’s oversight responsibility over public institutions, and the session is expected to run over several days, with different organisations appearing according to a planned schedule.
The committee, chaired by the Member of Parliament for Molepolole North, is mandated under the Parliament Standing Order to examine and assess the accounts of statutory bodies to ensure that public funds are used in a transparent and accountable manner, as required by law.
According to the announcement, the committee will review the books of account covering the 2021–2022 and 2024–2025 financial years, focusing on financial records and the overall performance of the organisations.
“This includes how each entity has carried out its mandate and implemented policies, laws, programmes, and projects within the specified periods,” reads the statement.
As per the release, the sessions will also assess financial performance and corporate governance within the organisations, and members of the committee are expected to review achievements and challenges faced by the entities, as well as their compliance with regulatory and audit recommendations issued during and after the financial years under review.
Chief Executive Officers from 28 organisations are expected to appear before the committee to present their reports, and during the hearings, they will respond to questions from committee members and provide clarification on financial and operational matters presented in their submissions and supporting documents.
The review process will involve detailed scrutiny of expenditure and project implementation. Committee members will examine whether allocated funds were used for their intended purposes and whether projects delivered the expected outcomes outlined in approved plans and budgets. Supporting documents, including financial statements and audit reports, will be considered during the sessions.
In addition to financial accountability, the committee will assess how effectively the organisations have implemented government policies.
“This includes evaluating whether programmes were carried out according to legal and regulatory requirements and whether timelines and targets were met during implementation,” reads the statement.
Documentation submitted by the entities will be reviewed alongside oral presentations made by their executives, allowing members to compare reported information with explanations provided during the hearings. Parliamentary officials indicated that the findings from the exercise will help strengthen accountability mechanisms within public institutions.
The process is also expected to highlight areas that require attention, particularly in governance structures, financial management systems, and compliance with established procedures. According to the statement, the examination of statutory bodies and state-owned enterprises is a routine parliamentary function carried out to maintain oversight of public sector operations.
It provides an opportunity for lawmakers to engage directly with leaders of public institutions and assess their performance against their mandates, and the outcomes of the sessions will form part of the committee’s report, which will be compiled and presented to Parliament at a later stage for consideration and record.