Auditor General�s contract employment unconstitutional
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday May 20, 2016 15:31
They said it is unconstitutional for the Auditor General to be employed on contract.
During the PAC seating this week members of the committee expressed shock and discomfort upon learning from the Director of Public Service Management, Ruth Maphorisa that the AG has been appointed on a five-year contract.
Maphorisa, who is the custodian of public officers, was responding to a question raised by committee member and Member of Parliament for Tati East, Samson Moyo Guma who had sought the director to state if the AG is on contract.
“Yes, to my knowledge the Auditor General (AG) is on contract. She is on a five-year contract,” said Maphorisa, without disclosing the details of the contract.
Guma questioned whether it was constitutional for the AG to be employed on a contract. He said according to his understanding, those appointed by the President at the level of the AG cannot be on contract, but serve until retirement. He said the constitution should reign supreme and guide the tenure of the appointed AG.
Maphorisa said she could not give an explanation as to why the AG is on contract because she does not recruit cadres at the level of the AG. She said she learnt about the details of the employment conditions of the AG because all the files of public officers are in her custody.
“I am only responding to the question because I know. I cannot lie to the committee if I know about something. This is because I keep all the files of the public officers, but since I don’t appoint her, I cannot explain why she is on contract.”
Guma’s fellow committee member, Biggie Butale chipped in saying if Maphorisa does not know why Letebele is on contract she should note the committee’s complaints and take the matter up with her superiors.
“The honourable member is right to ask you this. But what you can do is to take this matter up with your superiors and seek clarification. I am noting this down so that in the next seating of the PAC we can find out if anything has been done,” said Butale.
According to the constitution a person holding the office of Auditor General shall vacate his/her office when he/she attains the age of 60 years as prescribed by Parliament. Other than that, a person holding the office of Auditor General may be removed from office by the President, for inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour.