Hon Chairperson, Deputy President, hon members, Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, section 193(5)(a) of the Constitution provides that the National Assembly must recommend, for appointment by the President, persons nominated by a committee of the National Assembly, proportionally composed of members of all parties represented in the Assembly. In terms of section 6(1) of the Public Audit Act No 25 of 2004, the Speaker must initiate the recruitment process whenever it becomes necessary to appoint a person as Auditor-General.
As a result, the Speaker, in terms of Rule 214 of the Rules of the National Assembly, ensured the establishment of an ad hoc committee that was approved by a resolution of the House in the sitting of 4 June 2013, to prepare for the process of filling the upcoming vacancy of Auditor-General, as the term of office of the current Auditor-General, Mr Terence Nombembe, expires on 30 November 2013.
Firstly, in terms of the resolution of the House, the ad hoc committee is expected to report to the House on or before 20 September 2013.
Secondly, the committee was and is expected to prepare and determine an open, transparent and fair process to identify the person or persons to fill the upcoming vacancy of Auditor-General of the Republic of South Africa.
Lastly, and very importantly, the committee is expected to make a recommendation to this House of the suitable candidate or candidates to occupy the position of Auditor-General.
Allow me to indicate how the committee was comprised. The members who participated in this process are: hon S Shope-Sithole, hon J Moloi- Moropa, hon Prof L B G Ndabandaba, hon M D Nxumalo, hon K A Moloto, hon J Tshabalala, hon T Mufamadi who is speaking now, hon Dr D T George, hon J Steenhuisen, hon N Koornhof and hon N Singh.
In its first meeting on 16 July 2013, the committee met and agreed to, firstly, elect the chairperson; secondly, to adopt the programme; and thirdly, to agree on the content of the advert.
In accordance with the principles of transparency, fairness and all the required constitutional dictates, the committee decided to place an advert calling for interested and qualified South Africans to submit their applications for the committee's consideration. The adverts were placed in four national newspapers: The Star, the Sunday Times, the City Press and the Mail & Guardian, from 19 July 2013 to 2 August 2013.
As a result of the poor response to this advert, the committee agreed to extend the closing date to 23 August 2013. At the end of that process, the committee received 90 applications from which we could choose candidates who qualified for the interviews.
On 27 August 2013, the committee met and short listed the following six candidates to attend interviews: Zaitun Bee Gaffair Shaik, Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu, Ms Josephine Naicker, Mr Kaushic Patel, Mr Avhashoni Ramikosi and Ms Lily Zondo. The committee agreed to subject the six candidates to interviews.
On 4 September 2013, the committee interviewed the six candidates to test their competence and suitability, with specific focus on the following key areas: technical knowledge; leadership qualities; management capabilities; general knowledge, experience and understanding of public finances; accounting; and public administration. We also tested their knowledge in the following areas: their understanding of the current funding model of the institution of the Auditor-General, which is a Chapter 9 institution; their understanding of the role of the Auditor-General's office as a Chapter 9 institution to support democracy; their understanding of the Public Finance Management Act and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act; and their ability to work with key and critical stakeholders, in particular, Parliament.
All six candidates were given equal opportunity and were treated fairly in interacting with the panellists to display their individual capabilities to hold the position of Auditor-General.
On 4 September 2013, after interviewing the candidates, the committee unanimously agreed that only two suitable candidates emerged out of this process. Both candidates showed knowledge and an understanding of the management of public finances and auditing in public administration; and displayed strong leadership qualities, good interpersonal skills and high levels of integrity and independence. The committee therefore decided that reference checks should be conducted on both candidates to assist in this regard, and agreed to reconvene on 10 September 2013, which was yesterday.
After the results of the reference checks were presented, the committee deliberated further and agreed that Mr T K Makwetu was the more suitable candidate to be forwarded to this House. [Applause.]
After having interviewed the above candidates on 4 September 2013, and after further deliberations on 10 September 2013 in an open meeting at Parliament, the ad hoc committee on the appointment of the Auditor-General, in accordance with section 193(5)(a) of the Constitution, unanimously nominates Mr T K Makwetu for consideration and approval in terms of section 193(5)(b), and for the resolution of the National Assembly.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all committee members for their dedication, commitment, objectivity and impartiality during this very important exercise.
Lastly, I would like to say that it would not have been possible if the staff who had been forwarded and seconded to support the ad hoc committee had not pulled us together at all times.
I wish to table this report for consideration by the House. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Question put: That Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu be recommended for appointment as Auditor-General.
Are there any objections to the recommendation?
HON MEMBERS: No.
Hon members, in terms of section 193(5)(b) of the Constitution, the person recommended for appointment as the Auditor-General must be approved by at least 60% of the members of the Assembly.
Although a division has not been demanded, members are required to record their support for the recommendation of Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu for appointment as Auditor-General. Members will therefore be required to record their support by means of the electronic voting system. The bells will then be rung for five minutes for this process.
AYES - 298: Abram, S; Adams, P E; Bam-Mugwanya, V; Bapela, K O; Berend, S R; Bhanga, B M; Bhengu, N R; Bhengu, F; Bhengu, P; Bikani, F C; Bogopane- Zulu, H I; Boinamo, G G; Bonhomme, T; Booi, M S; Borman, G M; Bosman, L L; Botha, T; Botha, Y R; Burgess, C V; Cebekhulu, R S; Cele, M A; Chabane, O C; Chikunga, S; Chili, D O; Chiloane, T D; Chohan, F I; Coetzee, T W; Cronin, J P; Cwele, S C; Dambuza, B N; Daniels, P N; Davies, R H; De Freitas, M S F; De Lange, J H; Diale, L N; Diemu, B C; Dikgacwi, M M; Ditshetelo, I C; Dlakude, D E; Dlamini, B O; Dlomo, B J; Dreyer, A M; Du Toit, N D; Dubazana, Z S; Duma, N M; Duncan, P C; Dunjwa, M L; Ebrahim, E I; Eloff, E H; Esau, S; Farrow, S B; Ferguson, B D; Frolick, C T; Fubbs, J L; Gaehler, L B; Gasebonwe, T M A; Gaum, A H; Gcume, N P; Gcwabaza, N E; Gelderblom, J P; Gina, N; Gololo, C L; Gumede, D M; Hajaig, F; Hanekom, D A; Hill-Lewis, G G; Hlengwa, M; Holomisa, S P; Huang, S - B; James, W G; Jeffery, J H; Joemat-Pettersson, T M; Johnson, M; Kalyan, S V; Kekana, C D; Kenye, T E; Kganare, D A; Khoarai, L P; Khumalo, F E; Khunou, N P; Kilian, J D; Kloppers-Lourens, J C; Kohler-Barnard, D; Koornhof, G W; Koornhof, N J J v R; Kopane, S P; Kota-Fredericks, Z A; Kotsi, C M P; Krumbock, G R; Kubayi, M T; Lamoela, H; Landers, L T; Lekgetho, G; Lesoma, R M M; Line- Hendriks, H; Lishivha, T E; Lorimer, J R B; Lotriet, A; Lovemore, A T; Luyenge, Z; Mabasa, X; Mabedla, N R; Mabuza, M C; Madlala, N M; Mafolo, M V; Magagula, V V; Magama, H T; Magubane, E; Magwanishe, G; Mahomed, F; Makasi, X C; Makhuba, H N; Makhubela-Mashele, L S; Makhubele, Z S; Malale, M l; Malgas, H H; Maluleka, H P; Maluleke, J M; Manamela, K B; Manana, N C; Manganye, J; Mangena, M S; Mapisa-Nqakula, N N; Marais, E J; Marais, S J F; Martins, B A D; Mashatile, S P; Mashiane, L M; Mashigo, R M; Mashishi, A C; Masilo, J M; Masutha, T M; Mathale, C C; Mathebe, D H; Mathibela, N F; Matlanyane, H F; Matshoba, J M; Maunye, M M; Mavunda, D W; Max, L H; Mayatula, S M; Maynier, D J; Mazibuko, L D; Maziya, A M; McIntosh, G B D; Mdaka, M N; Mdakane, M R; Mfeketo, N C; Mfulo, A; Mfundisi, I S; Michael, N W A; Mileham, K J; Mjobo, L N; Mkhize, H B; Mkhulusi, N N P; Mlambo, E M; Mlangeni, A; Mnguni, P B; Mnisi, N A; Mnqasela, M; Mocumi, P A; Moepeng, J K; Mohai, S J; Mohale, M C; Mohorosi, M; Mokgalapa, S; Mokoena, A D; Molebatsi, M A; Molewa, B E E; Moloto, K A; More, E; Morutoa, M R; Moss, L N; Motau, S C; Motimele, M S; Motlanthe, K P; Motsepe, R M; Motshekga, M A; Mphethi, S A; Msimang, C T; Mthethwa, E M; Mtshali, E; Mubu, K S; Mufamadi, T A; Mushwana, F F; Muthambi, A F; N'wamitwa-Shilubana, T L P; Nchabeleng, M E; Ndabandaba, L B G; Ndebele, J S; Ndlazi, A Z; Ndlovu, V B; Ndude, H N; Nelson, W J; Nene, N M; Newhoudt-Druchen, W S; Ngcengwane, N D; Ngcobo, E N N; Ngcobo, B T; Ngele, N J; Ngonyama, L S; Ngubeni-Maluleka, J P; Ngwenya, W; Ngwenya-Mabila, P C; Nhlengethwa, D G; Njikelana, S J; Nkwinti, G E; November, N T; Ntapane, S Z; Ntuli, Z C; Ntuli, B M; Nxumalo, M D; Nyalungu, R E; Nyanda, S; Nyekemba, E; Oliphant, G G; Oliphant, M N; Ollis, I M; Oosthuizen, G C; Pandor, G N M; Peters, E D; Petersen-Maduna, P; Phaahla, M J; Phaliso, M N; Pilane-Majake, M C C; Pilusa-Mosoane, M E; Rabie, P J; Rabotapi, M W; Radebe, B A; Radebe, J T; Ramatlakane, L; Ramodibe, D M; Ramokgopa, G; Rodgers, F A; Ross, D C; Saal, G; Sayedali- Shah, M R; Schmidt, H C; Schneemann, G D; Segale-Diswai, M J; Selau, G J; September, C C; Shabangu, S; Sibanyoni, J B; Sibiya, D; Sindane, G S; Singh, N; Sisulu, L N; Sithole, S C N; Sizani, P S; Skosana, J J; Smiles, D C; Snell, G T; Sogoni, E M; Sonto, M R; Sosibo, J E; Steenhuisen, J H; Steyn, A; Steyn, A C; Suka, L; Sulliman, E M; Sunduza, T B; Surty, M E; Swart, M; Swart, S N; Swathe, M M; Terblanche, J F; Thibedi, J D; Thobejane, S G; Thring, W M; Tinto, B; Tlake, M F; Tobias, T V; Tsebe, S R; Tseke, G K; Tshabalala, J; Tshwete, P; Tsotetsi, D R; Twala, N M; Van Dalen, P; Van den Berg, N J; Van der Merwe, S C; Van der Merwe, J H; Van Der Merwe, L L; van Rooyen, D D; Van Schalkwyk, H C; Van Schalkwyk, M C J; van Wyk, A; Waters, M; Watson, A; Wayile, Z G; Wenger, M; Xaba, P P; Xasa, T; Ximbi, D L; Yengeni, L E; Zikalala, C N Z; Zulu, B Z.
Hon members, 298 members voted in support of the appointment of Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu as Auditor- General. [Applause.]
As the required majority has been obtained in terms of section 193(5)(b) of the Constitution, the recommendation for the appointment of Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu as Auditor-General will be forwarded to the President.
Question agreed to.
Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu accordingly recommended for appointment as Auditor-General in accordance with section 193(5)(b) of the Constitution, 1996.