Head of auditing at Auditor-General South Africa, Sibongiseni Ngoma, has been recommended by a panel to take the position of Deputy Auditor-General.
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The head of audit in the Office of Auditor-General, Sibongiseni Ngoma, is tipped to become the next Deputy Auditor-General (DAG) after Parliament gave the nod to take up the position following a recruitment process that started early this year.
Ngoma is set to take over from former Deputy Auditor-General Vonani Chauke, who resigned in February ahead of the end of his term of office in June.
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke said on Friday that the Audit Act mandated her to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced individual as DAG, after consultation with the Standing Committee on Auditor-General.
Maluleke said the post was advertised in February and then extended to March after one candidate met the prescribed minimum requirements.
“We engaged the services of external recruitment agencies and received a total of 15 applications, out of which we identified two candidates we could interview for this position.”
Five applicants did not meet the prescribed minimum requirements for the role, and eight others met some, but not all, of the required criteria.
Maluleke said the two shortlisted candidates were required to deliver a structured presentation based on a relevant case study and underwent an interview by a six-member panel.
“The panel unanimously agreed on one candidate, who is Sibongile Ngoma, to take the position,” she said, adding that Ngoma was then referred for the final stage of recruitment, which involved leadership assessment and verification checks.
Ngoma, who has been acting as DAG since March, joined the Office of the AG in 2012, as one of the executives.
She has occupied various positions, including as the CFO and head of audit.
“A combination of different executive roles within Auditor-General South Africa has given her breadth and depth of experience within the institution in what it does here and abroad in a way that positions her extremely well to take the duties of DAG.”
Maluleke said in a report to the committee that no concerns, objections, or complaints have been raised by any of the applicants regarding the recruitment and selection process for the position.
“I am accordingly satisfied that the recruitment process was conducted fairly, transparently, and in full compliance with the applicable policies and procedures.”
She further said neither the verification processes nor the leadership competency assessment revealed any matters that would preclude or dissuade her from proceeding with Ngoma’s appointment to the position of DAG.
“I would appreciate the committee’s consideration of this request at its earliest convenience, subject to the committee’s programme and processes,” she said.
Committee Chairperson Wouter Wessels said they have obtained a legal opinion that stated that it did not mean that Maluleke must follow their advice in the appointment.
Wessels said they may ask questions about the recruitment process and the reasons for concluding on the preferred candidate.
“If we differ, the A-G must apply her mind to the position of the Standing Committee on Auditor-General and show regard and satisfy her statutory obligation of consulting the committee,” he said.
“We must satisfy ourselves that the process that was followed satisfies rationality and all the sound legal grounds for appointing the best suitable candidate,” Wessels added.
MK Party MP Sanele Mwali said the process to appoint the DAG was fair and allowed time for interviews by a panel of experts.
“All processes have been followed, and it is the prerogative of the A-G to do the appointment. We are of the view that the A-G can go ahead with the appointment,” he said, adding that Ngoma's institutional knowledge and being a woman positioned her for the post.
ANC MP Shaik Imraan Subrathie supported the appointment, saying the recruitment process that followed was transparent and open.
“The candidate that has been shortlisted or suggested is a candidate who will be familiar with the challenges AGSA is facing. Her expertise and institutional knowledge augur well for her to contribute meaningfully to continuity and bring us close to making AGSA an efficient institution,” Subrathie said.
DA MPs S’bongiseni Vilakazi and Erik Marais threw their support to Ngoma’s appointment.
“It is apparent that the members support and do not have a different view of the preferred candidate,” said Wessels.