New Auditor General being sought

Parliament started the process of finding a replacement for outgoing Auditor General Terence Nombembe.

Nombembe's contract would expire in November, ANC Chief Whip Stone Sizani said in a statement.

"With the establishment of an ad hoc committee on the auditor general today [Tuesday], headed by ANC MP Thaba Mufamadi, Parliament sets in motion a transparent and open process of looking for suitable South Africans to fill this important position in our constitutional democracy," he said.

It was hoped the process, which would entail advertisements in the media and open interviews, would be concluded by September.

"We wish the committee well in this process. We also take this opportunity to wish auditor general Nombembe well ahead of his well-deserved retirement in November.

"He is a person of [the] highest integrity, unmatched passion for his professional duties, and a dedicated servant of the people."

It was no surprise that he was elected as chairman of the International Organisation of Supreme Institutions, an umbrella organisation for the external government audit community.

"We salute him for serving his office with such diligence and excellence for the past seven years. He will undoubtedly be leaving an institution with a remarkable reputation."