Govt under fire after ordering councils to foot auditing bill

THERE has been outrage against the government after the deputy auditor-general in the office of the Comtroller and Auditor General, R Kujinga, advised all local authorities that the office had instructed the councils' sitting auditors to carry out the audit exercise on behalf of the auditor-general, with the councils mandated to meet the costs of the audit.

"The exercise will be undertaken during the period July 2014 to September 2014 please give the auditors your maximum support during this special exercise. The cost of the audit shall be borne by yourselves," read part of the letter.

In Bulawayo, Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants had been seconded to carry out the audit at a cost of $62 959, a figure which the local authority was requesting to be revised downwards.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo said while the audit exercise did not fall under the jurisdiction of his ministry, he felt it was only natural for the councils to meet the cost as this was a wholesome exercise meant for the benefit of these very local authorities.

Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa or the auditor-general, Ms Mildred Chiri were not available for comment.