Western Cape Department of Agriculture welcomes high court decision

The Western Cape Government welcomes the decision handed down by Acting Judge Vos of the Western Cape Division of the High Court to set aside the Auditor General's qualified audit reports on the Western Cape Department of Agriculture for the financial years ending 31 March 2017 and 31 March 2018.

The Department sought the intervention of the High Court after various failed attempts to resolve its dispute with the Auditor-General regarding their qualification of the Department's accounting treatment of transfer payments and the Auditor-General's view on the principal-agent principle for the two financial years.

The Court has ruled in favour of the Department in respect of both financial cycles.

The Department notes the Court's confirmation of the Department's adherence to applicable auditing standards.

The office of the Auditor-General is an essential constitutional institution.

It plays a critical role in holding the government accountable to its governance practises and as such, must be kept in high regard by the Department.

We look forward to continuing our productive working relationship with the office of the Auditor-General.

The Government of the Western Cape is determined to maintain and improve its track record of sound financial governance.

This judgment confirms the excellent track record of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.