Page 218 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

REPORT OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL TO PARLIAMENT

ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Report on the audit of the Unaudited supplementary schedule
financial statements 7. The supplementary information set out on page 299
does not form part of the financial statements and
Opinion is presented as additional information. I have not
audited this schedule and, accordingly, I do not
1. I have audited the financial statements of the South express an opinion on it.
African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) set out
on pages 225 to 298, which comprise the statement Responsibilities of the accounting
of financial position as at 31 March 2024, statement
of financial performance, statement of changes in authority for the financial statements
net assets, cash flow statement and statement of 8. The board, which constitutes the accounting
comparison of budget and actual amounts for the authority, is responsible for the preparation and fair
year then ended, as well as notes to the financial presentation of the financial statements in accordance
statements, including a summary of significant with GRAP and the requirements of the PFMA; and
accounting policies. for such internal control as the accounting authority
2. In my opinion, the financial statements present determines is necessary to enable the preparation
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of financial statements that are free from material
of the South African Medical Research Council as at misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
31 March 2024 and its financial performance and cash 9. In preparing the financial statements, the accounting
flows for the year then ended in accordance with authority is responsible for assessing the entity's
the Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting ability to continue as a going concern; disclosing, as
Practice (GRAP) and the requirements of the Public applicable, matters relating to going concern; and
Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA). using the going concern basis of accounting unless
the appropriate governance structure either intends
Basis for opinion to liquidate the entity or to cease operations, or has
no realistic alternative but to do so.
3. I conducted my audit in accordance with the
International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). My
responsibilities under those standards are further Responsibilities of the auditor-general
described in the responsibilities of the auditor- for the audit of the financial statements
general for the audit of the financial statements 10. My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance
section of my report. about whether the financial statements as a whole
4. I am independent of the entity in accordance with are free from material misstatement, whether due
the International Ethics Standards Board for to fraud or error; and to issue an auditor's report
Accountants' International code of ethics for that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a
professional accountants (including International high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that
Independence Standards) (IESBA code) as well an audit conducted in accordance with the ISAs will
as other ethical requirements that are relevant to always detect a material misstatement when it exists.
my audit in South Africa. I have fulfilled my other Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these considered material if, individually or in aggregate,
requirements and the IESBA code. they could reasonably be expected to influence the
5. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is economic decisions of users taken on the basis of
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my these financial statements.
opinion. 11. A further description of my responsibilities for the
audit of the financial statements is included in the
Other matter annexure to this auditor's report. This description,
which is located at page 219, forms part of our
6. I draw attention to the matter below. My opinion is
not modified in respect of this matter. auditor's report.

216 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24