State blows R26.4bn in spree - understand the nomenclature

* Irregular expenditure: expenditure other than unauthorised expenditure incurred in contravention of or not in accordance with the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act, the State Tender Board Act or the government’s own supply chain management policies.

* Fruitless and wasteful expenditure: expenditure that was made in vain and would have been avoided had reasonable care been taken.

via www.iol.co.za

These are useful definitions. We'll see these terms often until the ANC shuts the press up