Rudderless Gauteng housing department slammed

Gauteng lawmakers raised doubts on whether there was any leadership in the provincial local government and housing department.

Standing committee on public accounts chairman Sipho Makama asked why so many of the department's senior staff were in acting positions.

There were acting heads of departments and acting chief financial officers.

Some of these officials had been in acting positions for more than a year.

"You can't act for more than a year," Makama said.

"Let's get this department settled. It's uncomfortable that we have... temporary posts."

Acting local government MEC Eric Xayiya assured the committee the process of making permanent appointments had already begun.

However, he said those who were in acting positions had "full authority".

The standing committee was holding hearings with the department over its 2012/13 financial year annual audit report.

The department had received a qualified audit report.

According to the report, there were issues relating to commitments, underspending, late payments and non-compliance.