1. Presentation on threats to Auditor-General staff during Audit
CoGTA

2. Steps taken by the Minister Progress from the KZN province
Presentation Outline
Purpose
Background
Steps taken by the Minister
Progress from the KZN province
Progress from Gauteng province
Conclusion

3. Purpose
To provide a report on the assistance provided by CoGTA with regard to threats against Auditor-General’s(AG) staff during audit at some municipalities.

4. Background
In May 2018, the Minister received a correspondence from the Auditor-General of South Africa, raising serious issues relating to intimidation of Audit Managers at eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities.
The AG also raised concerns regarding the threats at Emfuleni municipality in Gauteng.
The Auditor General requested intervention from the Minister to resolve the issues raised by the AG.

5. Steps taken by the Minister
Following the request from the AG, below are the steps taken by the Minister to resolve the matter:
Letters sent to the Premier, MEC and Mayors of the affected municipalities in KwaZulu Natal;
Further, letters were sent to the Ministers of Police, Finance and the AG himself on the same matter; and
Media statements issued on the threats to the AG staff in KZN and Gauteng.

6. Progress from KZN Province
Below are the steps taken province with a view to resolve the matter:
The province engaged senior management of both municipalities and the AG in May 2018;
A breakdown in relations between the Senior Management at Msunduzi Municipality and the audit team of the AGSA, KZN was brought to the attention of the MEC at the beginning of May The province intervened and facilitated a mediation meeting between the parties on 08 May 2018 at which it was confirmed that all matters were resolved;

7. Progress from KZN Province
Regarding the death threats at Ethekwini Metro, a criminal case has been opened with the SAPS;
As far as the relationship between the AG and Ethekwini Metro, it was reported that a very good and professional relationship exists other than for this incident; and
The City Manager committed to develop a security plan as soon as possible to address the death threats.

8. Progress from Gauteng Province
The Minister engaged the AG with regard to an incident where a staff member from the AG was shot and wounded in October 2018.
The staff member was shot while asleep at the guest house. This happened when the official was conducting audit at Emfuleni Local Municipality.
A criminal case has been opened with SAPS and the matter is under investigation.

9. Conclusion
CoGTA is alarmed at this serious situation which resulted in Office of the AG withdrawing audit mangers.
It is important to indicate that there were no threats of intimidation at Msunduzi Municipality and that in respect of Ethekwini Metro, security within all three spheres of government are addressing the threats of intimidation.
It is expected that the issue will be resolved through the implementation of the security plans and this will be closely monitored.