Hon Deputy Speaker, the DA notes with concern, the portfolio committee's, PC, consideration of only four of the department's entities' annual reports and quarterly spending trends over the previous 15 months. The sheer size and scope of the department poses limitations in this regard and it is worth noting that
the PC as well as the department should take steps to work around this limitation.
An additional concern is that the budgetary review recommendation report should cover the previous financial year and six months of the new financial year. However, this was not the case, as the department was not adequately prepared to provide this important information.
In terms of financial performance, the DA is concerned about the Auditor- General's findings that the Department of Economic Development was guilty of irregular expenditure of R214 000, and of an outstanding loss of over R1 million, as a result of noncompliance with the Economic Development Department's, EDD, performance policy.
The DA is extremely worried about the fact that 10 senior staff members within the department are currently suspended on pay, with allegations ranging from alleged fraud to gross negligence and dishonesty. Worst of all,
there is a chief director who has been suspended for 729 days.
The DA has submitted written questions regarding the costs of these suspensions to the taxpayer and eagerly awaits a response from the Minister. The DA will continue to ensure that the department is held to account and that the role of parliamentary oversight remains at the cornerstone of our democracy. I thank you.