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Auditor General Kimi Makwetu (Jan Gerber, News24)
- There has been a great deal of condolences following the passing of outgoing Auditor General Kimi Makwetu.
- Makwetu died after a battle with cancer.
- He was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in June 2018.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences to the loved ones of the esteemed outgoing Auditor General (AG) Kimi Makwetu, who passed away on Wednesday afternoon.
During his televised address to the nation on Wednesday night, Ramaphosa spoke of Makwetu’s tenure as AG.
“Mr. Makwetu served this country with dedication, distinction and great integrity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of great pain,” he said.
Makwetu died in hospital after a battle with stage four lung cancer, his office said.
He was diagnosed in June 2018.
In a statement, ANC spokesman Pule Mabe said Makwetu’s death was a great loss to the auditing profession and the ongoing task of building responsible administration.
READ | Kimi Makwetu, Outgoing Auditor General of South Africa, passes away
Mabe described him as a brave servant of the nation.
“Makwetu stayed true to the constitutional mandate of the Auditor General of South Africa [AGSA]that is, strengthening our democracy by enabling supervision, accountability and governance in the public sector through auditing, thus creating public trust.
“It has contributed enormously to the construction of a culture of responsibility and transparency in the use of state resources.”
He said Makwetu served his profession and the government with distinction and dignity.
“As we mourn Makwetu’s death and ponder the future, let us make a solemn commitment never to abandon his proud legacy of clean and responsible administration.
“We are confident that all public servants, including AGSA employees, will carry forward Makwetu’s legacy, as well as the solid foundation that he and previous auditors general have established.”
Makwetu was designated on December 1, 2013 as AG for a period of seven years. Prior to that, he served as AG deputy.
AGSA’s work enables citizens to hold custodians of public resources accountable.
Born in Cape Town, Makwetu completed his studies at the University of Cape Town.
Auditor General Kimi Makwetu was about to hand over the reins to his deputy, Tsakani Maluleke. He was knee deep in finalizing the reports, including one about Covid-19 corruption at the time of his death. | @Qaanitahunter https://t.co/AsVUkOx8iu
– News24 (@ News24) November 11, 2020
Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said Makwetu would be remembered for his courage in highlighting the deep-seated governance problems that plague the public sector, especially local government.
Mkhwebane, who also chairs the Forum for Institutions Supporting Democracy, said the forum had planned to send him a token of appreciation for the excellence with which he served as he prepared to leave office.
“Now we have to give him a different kind of goodbye,” he added.
“He still had a lot to offer. As it stands, we had just learned that he was preparing to offer his expertise globally with the recent announcement that he would serve on the United Nations Independent Audit Advisory Committee.
“His passing is a great loss to the auditing profession, the fight for good governance in the public sector and in the service of humanity.”
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde recalled Makwetu for the intense discussions.
“Over the years, I have worked closely with the AG. We share a goal that we both take very seriously: to ensure that the government fulfills its commitments to the people and does so in a way that is trustworthy and free from corruption.
“It was a role that he fulfilled with professionalism and that always had the best interests of South Africans at heart.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The entire Western Cape government team will miss you,” said Winde.
The Chairman of the Permanent Commission of the Auditor General of Parliament, Sakhumzi Somyo, also expressed his condolences.
“The committee will always be grateful for the impeccable work ethic, professionalism and integrity you displayed when you performed your work. The committee also appreciates the respect you showed each time you appeared before the committee.
DA deputy Jan de Villiers conveyed his condolences on behalf of the party.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues at AGSA during this difficult time. Makwetu has served as AG for the past seven years with dignity and excellence. Under his leadership, Makwetu oversaw and sought to protect integrity and independence. of the General Audit ”, he said.
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