AG delivers public lecture on justice and accountability honouring Jules Browde

Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa, Ms Tsakani Maluleke, delivered a compelling public lecture at Group One on 18 February 2026, honouring the legacy of renowned human rights advocate Jules Browde and reflecting on the vital connection between justice and accountability in South Africa’s democracy.

Addressing members of the legal fraternity, academia, students and civil society at the annual Jules Browde Lecture, the Auditor-General spoke on the theme, “Justice and accountability as facts rather than façade in the lived reality of ordinary South Africans”

In her address, AG drew a powerful link between Browde’s lifelong commitment to human rights and the constitutional mandate of the Auditor-General of South Africa, AGSA, as a Chapter 9 institution. She emphasised that justice and accountability are not abstract ideals, but practical instruments that directly affect service delivery and the quality of life of citizens.

“Justice is an instrument for accountability and therefore without the law there can never be accountability,” she said

Reflecting on Browde’s legacy, Ms Maluleke highlighted his unwavering defence of the marginalised during apartheid and his continued commitment to integrity in the democratic era. She noted that Browde’s life exemplified the principles of fairness, compassion and courage in confronting injustice, values that remain essential in South Africa’s governance landscape

Connecting these principles to AGSA’s work, the Auditor-General explained that the institution’s role extends beyond financial auditing. It includes auditing performance information and compliance with legislation, and ensuring that public funds are spent in ways that meaningfully improve citizens’ lives

She pointed to persistent accountability challenges, particularly in local government, where weak controls, high levels of irregular expenditure and non-compliance with legislation continue to undermine service delivery. AG stressed that when leaders set the right tone and all role players in the accountability ecosystem fulfil their responsibilities, meaningful improvements in governance and service delivery can follow.

The AG also reflected on the 2019 amendments to the Public Audit Act, which strengthened AGSA’s powers to address material irregularities and escalate serious matters to law enforcement agencies.

She described these measures as part of a broader effort to ensure that harm to public finances is repaired and that consequences follow where there is misconduct.

AG underscored the importance of balancing accountability with humanity. She encouraged leaders across sectors, including the legal profession, to play an active role in strengthening South Africa’s accountability ecosystem.

In closing, she reminded attendees that justice and accountability are deeply interconnected and essential to building a fair and equitable society

Quoting a reflection on indignation in the face of injustice, she urged all present to remain courageous in defending human dignity and speaking truth to power.

The lecture reaffirmed AGSA’s commitment to supporting democracy through independent auditing, strengthening transparency, and ensuring that accountability translates into tangible improvements in the lived experiences of South Africans.