Panel Discussion: Do ministers matter for audit performance?

Do ministers matter for audit performance? Evidence from cabinet appointments during South Africa’s ‘State of Capture’
This event will explore how leaders influence the financial management of their departments - for better or worse - and what that means for strengthening governance and service delivery. Reports of corruption and mismanagement have scarred the South African Government’s reputation at home and abroad. Using audit results for all departments from 2006/07 to 2020/21, new research conducted for ODI analyses how different ministers shaped financial performance across government under four different presidents. So what can audit findings tell us about the influence that ministers have on the financial performance of their departments? And what does this say about the systems and leadership required for improving the stewardship of public funds in future?