South Africa: Committee Raises Concern Over Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Irregular Expenditure, Deficits and Performance Verification Weaknesses

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities raised concerns about irregular expenditure, consecutive deficits, increased spending on consultants and weaknesses in the verification of performance information at the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). The committee raised these concerns when it received a briefing from the CGE on its 2025/26 Annual Report (AR). In briefing the committee, the CGE said the Auditor General’s finding regarding irregular expenditure was a historical matter relating to a panel of attorneys that was incorrectly appointed. Responding to the presentation by the CGE, the committee expressed concern that spending on consultants had doubled. Members asked the CGE to account for the increase, clarify how much of the expenditure resulted from vacancies in the research unit, and explain why research posts had not been filled. On matters relating to consequence management, the committee called for stronger consequence management where officials are implicated in financial misconduct. Committee members argued that resignations should not automatically end accountability processes and that disciplinary proceedings should be concluded before

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