…MPs praise commission for reducing audit queries and strengthening accountability
BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA– The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has commended the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) for significantly improving its management of public finances and reducing the number of audit queries raised against the institution.
The praise was delivered on Thursday, June 4, 2026, when the EBC appeared before the PAC in the House of Assembly.
Ludzeludze Member of Parliament (MP) Nomkhosi Masuku said while the PAC was often required to scrutinise ministries and public institutions over financial irregularities, it was equally important to acknowledge organisations that demonstrate improvement and good financial stewardship.
Masuku said she had participated in the PAC proceedings involving the EBC during the previous financial year and had observed a marked improvement in the institution’s handling of public funds.
“The last time the EBC appeared before this committee, there were many queries that needed to be addressed. This year, the situation has improved significantly, which shows that officials are taking the management of public funds seriously,” she said.
Improvement Recognised
PAC Deputy Chairperson Manzi Vincent Zwane, who chaired the proceedings, echoed Masuku’s sentiments.
He said the reduced number of audit findings demonstrated that the commission had taken steps to strengthen its financial controls and improve accountability.
“The fact that there are fewer queries shows that the EBC has been putting its house in order when it comes to managing public finances,” Zwane said.
The positive assessment came despite the committee examining a small number of outstanding issues raised by the Office of the Auditor General.
Overpayment Recovered
One of the matters discussed involved the overpayment of a subsistence allowance to the Deputy Chairperson of the commission.
According to audit findings, the Deputy Chairperson was entitled to receive 70 per cent of the applicable subsistence allowance in terms of the relevant remuneration instruments.
However, he was paid 80 per cent, resulting in an overpayment of more than E5,000.
Responding to the matter, EBC Head of Secretariat and Controlling Officer Khombisile Dlamini explained that the overpayment resulted from an interpretation issue relating to the applicable legal notice.
She said the commission had initially placed the Deputy Chairperson under the category used for the Chairperson because it was not immediately clear where the position should be classified.
Dlamini said the Ministry of Finance later clarified that the Deputy Chairperson was entitled to only 70 per cent of the allowance.
“The matter was corrected and the money was recovered and paid back into Government coffers,” she said.
MPs Call For Greater Vigilance
While acknowledging that the funds had been recovered, Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo questioned why the commission had not sought clarification before making the payment.
Nxumalo warned that stricter accountability measures could be introduced in future amendments to public finance legislation.
“I am pleased that the money was recovered, but this situation could have been avoided if proper consultation had taken place beforehand,” he said.
He cautioned that future amendments to the Public Finance Management legislation could impose harsher penalties on controlling officers who fail to comply with financial regulations.
Zwane agreed with Nxumalo, stating that the incident highlighted weaknesses in internal controls that should be addressed to prevent similar occurrences.
EBC Highlights Progress
Despite the isolated issue, MPs maintained that the overall financial performance of the commission had improved considerably.
Masuku again commended the institution for the significant reduction in audit findings compared to previous years.
In her closing remarks, Dlamini told the committee that the EBC had recorded no new audit queries for the 2024/25 financial year.
She explained that the matters discussed during the session related to findings carried over from the previous reporting period.
Dlamini further assured MPs that the commission regularly consults the Ministry of Finance on financial matters and had engaged the ministry regarding the subsistence allowance issue before corrective action was taken.
Commitment To Accountability
The PAC’s praise of the EBC stands out amid ongoing scrutiny of various government institutions over financial management concerns.
The committee’s remarks suggest that the commission’s efforts to strengthen accountability, improve compliance and address previous weaknesses are beginning to yield positive results.
As public institutions continue working to improve governance and financial oversight, the EBC’s progress was presented as an example of how audit findings can be used constructively to strengthen systems and promote responsible management of public resources.
(Courtesy Pic)
