Social Development MEC apologises to SCOPA and the country and promised to pay back money within seven days

19 Feb 2013

Today, 19 February 2013, the MEC for Social Development, Women, Children, Youth and People with Disabilities, Mosetsanegape Mokomele-Mothibi apologised to the North West Provincial Legislature's Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts and the people of the South Africa in general and promised to pay the money back within seven working days.

This came after the MEC admitted to wrongfully using tax payers' money amounting to R174 000 to pay for her friend and officials to go to Bloemfontein to attend the African National Congress Elective Conference in December last year.

The MEC together with the Head of Department, Matshidiso Mogale and other senior managers, had appeared before the Committee last week and were asked to bring supporting documentation that would speak to their responses on the alleged misuse of public funds, which they failed to provide.

In a statement the MEC read to the Committee, the MEC said; "I, as the MEC responsible for Social Development, Women, Children, Youth and People with Disability, sincerely apologise to the people of the North West province; the Premier and Executive Council Members; and Members of the Provincial Legislature on behalf of my office and myself for having an oversight on the procurement processes. Following the recommendations made by the Standing Committee, I still recommit that all the money due will be paid back to the state coffers in full within seven working days effective from today."

The Committee noted the apology and will however still meet and make recommendations to the Legislature.

Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Chauke said the Committee welcome the admission of guilt by the MEC.

"We welcome the admission of guilt by the MEC and will now leave the matter to those who deployed her to office. An action will also be taken to all officials of the department who misled the Committee," said Hon. Chauke

Statement issued by Namhla Luhabe, North West Social Development, Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, February 19 2013

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