Munzhedzi, P. H.Zitha, H. E.Matibe, Tshitereke Baldwin2026-06-302026-06-302026-05-19Matibe, T.B. 2026. Effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Promoting Financial Oversight and Accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3305Ph. D. in Public ManagementDepartment of Public and Development AdministrationThis study assessed the effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) in promoting financial oversight and accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government. SCOPA is one of the legislature’s committees that has the authority to consider fiscal matters of public institutions. It is also assigned the responsibility of conducting financial oversight, and holds the executive accountable for their actions when utilising public funds. Despite the role played by the SCOPA, the Limpopo Provincial Government continues to struggle to provide quality services to its citizens, which is mainly attributed to maladministration, corruption, and the misuse of public funds. It is accordingly significant to undertake this type of study to enhance the performance of SCOPA in managing public finances effectively. This study was undertaken at the Limpopo Legislature during the 6th term (2019-2024), and it follows a pragmatist research paradigm, which combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population was composed of Members of the Limpopo Legislature, including Executive Council (EXCO) (n=49) and support staff to committees, which include officials from the Limpopo Legislature (n=66), Auditor-General (n=02) and Limpopo Provincial Treasury (n=02). A simple random sampling method was followed to choose Members of the Limpopo Legislature (n=22) and support staff for committees (n=70) for quantitative analysis. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was employed to sample Members of the Limpopo Legislature (n=5) and support staff assigned to committees (n=10) for qualitative analysis. Data for this study were gathered using primary and secondary methods. In addition, data were collected through observation during SCOPA public hearings (n=10) with the provincial departments and public entities. Semi-structured interviews were employed to gather qualitative data from sampled participants. Collected qualitative data was recorded and transcribed from audio to text (MS Word) using WinScribe. The thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from sampled participants. Quantitative data were captured in the Microsoft Excel file, which was then imported into the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 30. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Frequency and iv percentage analysis were applied to describe the collected data. Data was also plotted using graphs and tables. The findings of this study revealed that there are tools, mechanisms, practices, and frameworks considered crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of the SCOPA. Financial statements and audit reports were highly rated by Honourable Members (90.9%) and support staff (over 97%) as very important tools to promote the efficacy of SCOPA. The SCOPA meetings and public hearings were also rated as very important financial accountability mechanisms by both Honourable Members (100%) and support staff (97.8%). Almost all Honourable Members (95.5%) and support staff (92.9%) perceived that the Constitution is frequently used to guide the work of SCOPA. Honourable Members (77.3%) and support staff (60.0%) agreed that SCOPA has contributed to enhancing the integrity, as well as the audit outcomes, of the provincial government. Despite the achievements, the majority of Honourable Members (95.5%) and all support staff (100%) hold the view that SCOPA resolutions are partially implemented by the executive, which questions their effectiveness. The efficacy of SCOPA is hindered by institutional challenges, including a lack of authority to compel the executive to fully implement resolutions, political interference, the frequency of public hearings, and the redeployment of SCOPA members. Limited human and financial resources further hinder SCOPA’s ability to execute its assigned functions. To enhance and promote the effectiveness of SCOPA, there is a need for provision of adequate training and capacity development, support to committees, strengthening internal and external support for SCOPA, improvement of SCOPA operational efficacy, insulation of SCOPA from party politics, full implementation of SCOPA resolutions, full implementation of consequence management, and enactment of PACs legislation. The outcomes of this study are for the development of knowledge on how PACs within their jurisdiction can function optimally. Additionally, this study has contributed to the development of a model that can be employed to measure the effectiveness of SCOPA in promoting financial oversight and accountability.1 online resource (xvii, 256 leaves)enUniversity of VendaAccountabilityUCTDEffectivenessLegislatureOversightPublic FinancePublic Accounts CommitteeThesisMatibe TB. Effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Promoting Financial Oversight and Accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government. []. , 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Matibe, T. B. (2026). <i>Effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Promoting Financial Oversight and Accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMatibe, Tshitereke Baldwin. <i>"Effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Promoting Financial Oversight and Accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government."</i> ., , 2026.TY - Thesis AU - Matibe, Tshitereke Baldwin AB - This study assessed the effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) in promoting financial oversight and accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government. SCOPA is one of the legislature’s committees that has the authority to consider fiscal matters of public institutions. It is also assigned the responsibility of conducting financial oversight, and holds the executive accountable for their actions when utilising public funds. Despite the role played by the SCOPA, the Limpopo Provincial Government continues to struggle to provide quality services to its citizens, which is mainly attributed to maladministration, corruption, and the misuse of public funds. It is accordingly significant to undertake this type of study to enhance the performance of SCOPA in managing public finances effectively. This study was undertaken at the Limpopo Legislature during the 6th term (2019-2024), and it follows a pragmatist research paradigm, which combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population was composed of Members of the Limpopo Legislature, including Executive Council (EXCO) (n=49) and support staff to committees, which include officials from the Limpopo Legislature (n=66), Auditor-General (n=02) and Limpopo Provincial Treasury (n=02). A simple random sampling method was followed to choose Members of the Limpopo Legislature (n=22) and support staff for committees (n=70) for quantitative analysis. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was employed to sample Members of the Limpopo Legislature (n=5) and support staff assigned to committees (n=10) for qualitative analysis. Data for this study were gathered using primary and secondary methods. In addition, data were collected through observation during SCOPA public hearings (n=10) with the provincial departments and public entities. Semi-structured interviews were employed to gather qualitative data from sampled participants. Collected qualitative data was recorded and transcribed from audio to text (MS Word) using WinScribe. The thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from sampled participants. Quantitative data were captured in the Microsoft Excel file, which was then imported into the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 30. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Frequency and iv percentage analysis were applied to describe the collected data. Data was also plotted using graphs and tables. The findings of this study revealed that there are tools, mechanisms, practices, and frameworks considered crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of the SCOPA. Financial statements and audit reports were highly rated by Honourable Members (90.9%) and support staff (over 97%) as very important tools to promote the efficacy of SCOPA. The SCOPA meetings and public hearings were also rated as very important financial accountability mechanisms by both Honourable Members (100%) and support staff (97.8%). Almost all Honourable Members (95.5%) and support staff (92.9%) perceived that the Constitution is frequently used to guide the work of SCOPA. Honourable Members (77.3%) and support staff (60.0%) agreed that SCOPA has contributed to enhancing the integrity, as well as the audit outcomes, of the provincial government. Despite the achievements, the majority of Honourable Members (95.5%) and all support staff (100%) hold the view that SCOPA resolutions are partially implemented by the executive, which questions their effectiveness. The efficacy of SCOPA is hindered by institutional challenges, including a lack of authority to compel the executive to fully implement resolutions, political interference, the frequency of public hearings, and the redeployment of SCOPA members. Limited human and financial resources further hinder SCOPA’s ability to execute its assigned functions. To enhance and promote the effectiveness of SCOPA, there is a need for provision of adequate training and capacity development, support to committees, strengthening internal and external support for SCOPA, improvement of SCOPA operational efficacy, insulation of SCOPA from party politics, full implementation of SCOPA resolutions, full implementation of consequence management, and enactment of PACs legislation. The outcomes of this study are for the development of knowledge on how PACs within their jurisdiction can function optimally. Additionally, this study has contributed to the development of a model that can be employed to measure the effectiveness of SCOPA in promoting financial oversight and accountability. DA - 2026-05-19 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Accountability KW - Effectiveness KW - Legislature KW - Oversight KW - Public Finance KW - Public Accounts Committee LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2026 T1 - Effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Promoting Financial Oversight and Accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government TI - Effectiveness of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Promoting Financial Oversight and Accountability within the Limpopo Provincial Government UR - ER -