Justice Committee Expresses Concern Over Stagnant Audit Outcomes and Critical Governance Vacancies

The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today received the Auditor-General of South Africa’s (AGSA) Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR) presentation for the 2025–26 financial year. The committee expressed deep concern over the persistent stagnation in audit outcomes, cyber security, irregular expenditure and critical leadership vacancies across key entities within the portfolio. Out of the 10 audited entities in the portfolio managing a total budget of R29.62 billion, six achieved clean audits, three received unqualified audit opinions with findings and one received a qualified audit opinion with findings. Committee Chairperson Mr Xola Nqola said: “While the committee commended the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for improving its audit outcome through strong governance and internal controls, overall performance across the portfolio reflects a concerning level of financial and performance management complacency.” The engagement with the AGSA highlighted several severe challenges, including a sharp escalation in annual irregular expenditure to R326 million in 2025–26, driven largely by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

Cancel anytime · CA$99/month