Wrong choice of words
2008-05-08
IT is amazing what the choice of words can do in reporting matters. The Paarl Post of 20 March carried an article about “Municipal irregularities highlighted by the Auditor General. In the article the author stated that: “Barry Lodewyk indicated that the qualified opinion was based on a number of irregularities…” This was a misstatement. However it was heartwarming to read a letter from the office of Auditor General that appeared in Paarl Post of 1 May refuting the incorrect use of the word ‘irregularities’ in the context it was used in. Drakenstein Municipality feels aggrieved about the article. The reputation and the image of this very important administration is dented by this careless report- ing. We assume that this was not an intention from their part. Dr Sidima Kabanyane Drakenstein Municipal Manager The word “irregularities” was used to indicate a number of problems pointed out by the Auditor-General, leading to a qualified opinion after auditing the Drakenstein municipal statements for the financial year ended June 2007. These included overstatement of long term debtors and accumulated surpluses as well as a number of other issues. As the Auditor-General’s office has pointed out, these issues should rather be termed “weaknesses”. The Paarl Post regrets the use of the word “irregularities” in this context and trusts that the Auditor-General’s report will in future be an unqualified one. - Ed.
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