Home affairs’ suspended Apleni flagged potentially ‘irregular’ R145m expenditure

Mkuseni Apleni, the home affairs director-general placed on precautionary suspension, flagged R145 million spent on security services by the department as potentially irregular expenditure.

The Business Day reports that it understands an investigation is under way, with the possibility that the tender to provide security services at the department of home affairs nationwide could have been manipulated during the evaluation stage.

Home Affairs Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize placed Apleni on precautionary suspension last month, and appointed deputy director-general of immigration service Jackie McKay as the acting director-general.

Mkhize is expected to brief members’ parliamentary portfolio committee on home affairs on the matter tomorrow.

Apleni is challenging his suspension in court, arguing he was appointed by President Jacob Zuma, and as such, Mkhize has no authority to suspend him. He claimed in court papers the real reason for his precautionary suspension was a dispute the minister’s son had with the department. In turn, Mkhize described Apleni as “delusional”.

The 2016/2017 annual report tabled in parliament last week shows Apleni revealed the department had incurred R75 million in irregular expenditure in 2016-17 and R70.5 million in 2015-16, largely as a result of security services procured by tender.

READ MORE: Suspended home affairs DG Apleni is ‘Gigaba’s fall guy’

“The department appointed a firm of external forensic auditors, and a report was issued, which indicated some irregularities during the evaluation of the tender. The department is in the process of finalising the investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against any transgressors,” Apleni wrote.

Auditor-general Kimi Makwetu’s report on the department also noted the department was a defendant in various cases, which it was opposing. Makwetu also warned the department failed to make provision for contingent liabilities in its financial statement. Contingent liability is money budgeted to settle awards where department loses the case.

“As disclosed, the irregular expenditure closing balance of R516 million included an amount of R146 million incurred in current and prior years that was still under investigation at year-end,” Makwetu’s report stated.

He clarified the R146 million would not be immediately declared irregular expenditure, as it was under investigation by the department. The security tender was opened for bidding in 2014, and was awarded in November of the same year.

http://https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/home-affairs-dg-mkuseli-apleni/

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