Public Protector report on Vrede Integrated Dairy Project
The Public Protector has released the Report on an investigation into complaints of maladministration against the Free State Department of Agriculture in respect on non-adherence to Treasury prescripts and lack of financial control in the administration of the Vrede Integrated Dairy Project. The Public Protector found that the department could not provide documents, policies or measures to demonstrate that proper financial control and risk management of the project had been in place. She could find no evidence or indication that the Accounting Officer invoked the provisions of the agreement in respect of the control over the Project and this raised a serious concern.
“This concern was supported by the report of the Accountant General,” Adv. Mkhwebane said, adding that the lack of effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial and risk management as well as internal controls amounted to gross negligence and maladministration."