The Auditor-General gave the Department an unqualified audit opinion. However, the Auditor-General did report that certain employees were appointed without following the prescribed process to verify the claims made in their applications. The Committee requested an explanation of this finding. The Department responded that they contract a private company to conduct the verifications required. However, when the contract expired, its renewal was delayed when uncertainties regarding the foreign-ownership of the company arose. Once the uncertainties were resolved, the contract was renewed. In addition, all employee appointment letters stated that the appointments were being made subject to a verification and security clearance process being finalised. The Department assured the Committee that all the outstanding verifications that gave rise to this finding had been completed.