The Gauteng Congress of SA Trade Unions said on Friday it learned with shock the auditor's reports on the financial performance of the various departments in the province.

"We have also noted with serious concern that the legislator is also not immune, as it has been financially unqualified with other matters raised by the auditor in nine of the departments and entities," the trade union federation said in a statement.

Cosatu said it was taken aback by the disclaimer that had been given to the department of health.

The department of health's audit findings for the financial year 2008 and 2009 found unauthorised spending of over R1 billion, "irregular" spending of R1.9 million and "fruitless and wasteful" spending of R2.2 million.

Auditor-General Terrence Nombembe found that billions of rands were spent in unauthorised and irregular spending in Gauteng.

Cosatu called for an urgent proper investigation by an independent body into these matters.

"We cannot afford at this phase of our national democratic revolution to have a department that can be disclaimed by the auditor general for the reasons articulated above."

Cosatu said it had noted that some steps were taken by the department of health including an audit plan that had been drafted to ensure that these issues were addressed in the future and that they did not reoccur.

"Cosatu welcomes these initiatives, but the fact is that the role of the auditor is to reflect on the historical occurrences and we believe that the MEC and government as a whole has a responsibility to ensure that those involved in this matter are subjected to serious action."

It called on the MEC and Premier to act against corruption before it was to late.

"We believe there is sufficient evidence for heads to roll and the department of health presents an opportunity for the government to demonstrate without doubt that it is committed to root out corruption in this province."

The federation vowed to make sure that those responsible were brought to book.

Sapa

SA's top 5 fraud cases Meriza La Key counts down South Africa's biggest Ponzi schemes.

The Malema factor ANCYL leader Julius Malema has become one of the most feared and most powerful figures in the ANC.

The people vs Eskom 2 Former Eskom employee 'Ike' writes from Canada to give his views on Eskom's proposed tariff hike.