The steering committee overseeing the National Dialogue has taken a firm stance on measures designed to thwart any potential theft of public funds during what is set to be a vast and intricate process involving thousands of meetings across South Africa. This commitment comes in light of rising public apprehension about potential procurement malpractices tied to the substantial expenditure associated with the dialogue, estimated to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of rands.
Addressing media representatives in Pretoria on Monday, the committee assured that stringent accounting methodologies have been implemented to safeguard not only government funds but also any donations received during the dialogue. Notably, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) and the University of South Africa (UNISA) have pledged their support by contributing facilities and personnel to facilitate the process.
“It was agreed with the project task team (PTT) that NEDLAC would act as the secretariat for the national dialogue process. They will oversee the allocation and expenditure of resources,” stated Zwo Nevhutalu, a steering committee member and spokesperson for the first convention. “Government has reiterated time and again that no funds from the taxpayer will be misappropriated, and we should trust these commitments in good faith.”
NEDLAC Executive Director Makhukhu Mampuru, who has been appointed as the Secretariat for the dialogue, confirmed that he will serve in this role without remuneration. Mampuru expressed confidence that stringent measures are in place to guarantee transparency and accountability throughout the dialogue. He pointed to past projects that have been exploited by dishonest officials, assuring the public that such scenarios would not repeat themselves in the current exercise.
“We’ve established robust systems to ensure that all associated costs are carefully monitored. The country can count on us to handle resources responsibly,” Mampuru asserted. Highlighting prior experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, he noted that NEDLAC successfully managed billions in donations, all of which were transparently reported.
“Remember the Solidarity Fund?” Mampuru continued. “It raised millions from the private sector without a hint of financial malpractice. When it concluded its work, it still had remaining funds in its accounts, which emphasizes our commitment to ensure that this national dialogue is conducted with the utmost integrity.”
While the steering committee did not confirm an estimated expenditure of R700 million for the process, they indicated a preliminary understanding that 60 percent of the total budget would be funded by the government, with the remaining 40 percent being supplemented through private donations.
“The budget you have heard about is not from the government. It was prepared by the organising committee and has yet to be finalised. What we can confirm is that, based on this understanding, 60 percent will come from the government and we are actively seeking donations for the remaining 40 percent,” Nevhutalu explained.