Bisho | Wednesday
MORE than R1,6-million of the R2,136-million budgeted for crime prevention in the Eastern Cape has not been used, the Auditor General’s report on the safety and liaison department finances for 2000/2001 revealed on Monday.
The report tabled at a standing committee for safety and liaison meeting said the unused money had been forfeited to treasury.
It showed that the under spending of R1 621 402 was mainly because there had been little crime prevention until a programme manager was appointed in February.
For the 2001/2002 financial year, the department has budgeted over R2,172-million for crime prevention.
The report also revealed inadequate control of the stores and equipment as there was no stocktaking during the year.
Equipment loaned out to employees was not recorded and in some cases workers authorised their own claims for subsistence and travel.
The report also showed inadequate control measures over leave and that the leave register was not always checked or signed by a senior official.
It revealed that the department did not comply with the requirements of the Provincial Treasury Instruction on the budgetary process.
Representative for the department Fikile Black said much progress had been made in crime prevention since the appointment of the programme manager.
He said the department was preparing for a provincial crime prevention strategic workshop next month.
The strategy will be to co-ordinate and support local authorities, community police forums and other community structures with regard to their role in crime prevention to ensure an integrated approach at local level.
Black said the department was opening five district offices in Umtata, Bisho/East London, Queenstown, Port Elizabeth and Cradock. – Sapa