Chairperson, the response to question 245 is as follows: The total irregular expenditure for the sector in 2018-19, as reported by the Auditor-General is R7,3 billion and R5,6 billion for 2017- 18. Irregular expenditure incurred in contravention of key legislation where prescribed processes were not followed.
There was a study done with structured interviews to follow up this matter, and for a number of years, the Auditor-General's report raised the issue. We have been aware of the fact that there was a figure of over R20 billion, referring to the general health sector that was reported during one of the meetings with the Deputy Minister.
So, we have noted those issues, but in terms of the public health sector, we made great strides in addressing the burden of disease and improving access to health services. There has also been an improvement in the public health sector infrastructure, reduction
on the distances travelled by communities to health facilities, and the capping of the communicable diseases.
These are some of the issues that we tend to focus on when we deal with the question of ensuring that the expenditure is properly aligned.
We have focused on the alignment between planning and budgeting, so that there is no irregular expenditure. The internal audit and risk management unit has also put measures in place to deal with the issues of awareness, as well as the implementation of fraud awareness campaigns, the fraud prevention strategy and fraud prevention policy.
The President has also launched the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, which is a collaboration amongst the various stakeholders. We mentioned here the special investigation units, the priority crimes directorates, the NPA and the public, in terms of the civil society representation. All of these are about facing up to the irregularities reported, so that they can all be investigated.
So, at the moment, the Department of Health, including five provinces, has reported about 81 cases to the South African Police
Services for investigation. So, we deal with this matter, in its complexity, by managing the finances within the department. We also deal with the consequence management, when it comes to criminal investigations where we believe that crime is committed and the police have to get involved. Thank you.