107672 IRBA NEWSLETTER

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A three-phased roadmap has been developed and it entails an
initial research and awareness raising phase during which public
consultations will be held via roadshows and media campaigning.
During the third phase the National Anti-Corruption Strategy,
the Implementation Plan and a Monitoring Framework will
be finalised. Interested parties may submit their input for
consideration to or via fax to (086) 683 5479.
The physical address of the Department of Planning, Monitoring
and Evaluation’s Hatfield office is 330 Grosvenor Street, Hatfield,
Pretoria, 0002.
CONCERNS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF
BUSINESSES TO PAY MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTS
The IRBA received a letter from the Executive Mayor of
Johannesburg, Mr Herman Mashaba, in which he highlighted a
matter that is of serious concern to the City of Johannesburg.
During operation Buya Mthetho, which targeted properties across
Johannesburg with the aim of enforcing by-laws, the city identified
more than 2 000 municipal accounts that have been irregularly
removed from the city’s billing system. A number of well-known
businesses and establishments were also identified as not paying
for municipal services.
In addition to these concerns, the IRBA has noted recent reports
in the media regarding other municipalities in South Africa that
are experiencing similar challenges. These challenges range from
the ever-growing phenomenon of illegal power connections being
made to lamp posts, meter boxes and overhead lines to instances
of meter-tampering committed by sometimes reputable business
institutions. In one specific incident mentioned, it is reported that
a meter in Tshwane had been tampered with to read a power
consumption of zero for years.
As such, Mr Mashaba is appealing that accountants and auditors
need to make a greater effort in ensuring that businesses honour
their debts to local government for services rendered and that rates
and taxes are paid timeously.
Registered auditors are therefore encouraged to take cognisance of
these concerns relating to the non-payment of amounts due to local
municipalities and, if identified, to consider reporting such instances
to the IRBA as reportable irregularities in cases where these non-
payments are believed to be unlawful.
Jane O’Connor
Director Legal
Telephone: (087) 940-8804
Fax: (087) 940-8873
E-mail:
LEGAL cont.
Issue 42 | April - June 2018 15