DPM and AG urged to appoint new auditor-general

 THE Department of Personnel Management and the office of the auditor-general have been called upon to speed up the appointment of the auditor-general.

A senior accountant, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the auditor-general’s office “is the most important constitutional office and the government should not delay the appointment of the auditor-general”.

The source said the position had been vacant since February and the former auditor-general, George Sullimann, was still acting in the position.

“By now, the position should have been filled because an acting position can only be effective for three months,” the source said. 

“Any acting appointment by the NEC should be gazetted, and that was not done.” 

A copy of a letter from the secretary for Personnel Management John Kali, dated May 25, revealed that the position was vacant after Sullimann’s term expired in February.

He said since the position was vacant, “the auditor-general’s office needs to fund the advertisement of the position in the media”.

It said that was now the practice for all government departments, provincial administration and statutory bodies to fund all advertisement of vacancies.

The source said that Kali’s instructions were issued a month ago.

The source said possible candidates for the post had not been given the opportunity to apply because it had not been advertised.

A candidate vying for the post said no one should try to hijack the appointment processes because it was a constitutional office.

Several heads of departments and provincial administrators’ positions were yet to be filled as well, with many people acting in those positions.