2 July 2021
Pretoria – The latest general report on local government audit outcomes is shocking. To uncover that the local government finances have reached an alarming R26 billion in irregular expenditure in the 2019 – 2020 financial year during a world-wide health pandemic is a disgrace.
The Auditor General, Tsakani Maluleke released the MFMA 2019 – 2020 report on Wednesday, 30 June 2021 which reflected a lack of accountability in South African municipalities. Judging by the report, it is clear that irregular expenditure and a lack of financial controls has become a common occurrence in municipalities.
According to the report [PLEASE ADD LINK OF THE REPORT], out of the 257 municipalities, only 27 received clean audits, a decrease from the previous year report. Less than a quarter of municipalities could provide the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) with quality performance reports to audit. The unfortunate truth is that it is the citizens who are at the receiving end, who experience poor service delivery.
The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA), president, Philip Rakgwale says that the R26 billion in irregular expenditure could have been prevented with proper financial systems and controls in municipalities.
Rakgwale says: “As SAIGA we remain resolute in the stance that our public structures must maintain a low tolerance for financial transgressions or transgressions of any kind as that ensures a smoother running of the country in all respects.
“Public officials are entrusted with the public resources to serve the citizens of this country. Municipalities are mandated to deliver quality service to the people. It is crucial to note that there is a need for proper financial systems and controls in our local government. Irregular expenditure can be minimised with proper skills and competencies in the structures of our local government.”
Our role as SAIGA is to serve the public interest by strengthening capacity building in the public sector. I believe that clean governance and quality service delivery leads to a happy citizenry,” says Rakgwale.
According to the AGSA media release the municipalities’ performance reporting was even worse than their financial reporting. Due to lack of required documentation from municipalities the AG was unable to audit contracts worth R1,43 billion. The AG also observed that municipalities do not implement consequence management, hence the cumulative amount of irregular expenditure not dealt with, stood at R79,22 billion at the year-end.
Another rising concern is the poor-quality financial statements submitted by the municipalities. A total of 72% municipalities submitted poor quality financial statements for auditing. This raises a question of accountability and transparency since financial statements are meant to be used to inform financial decisions. Municipalities in North West, Free State and Limpopo submitted the poorest quality financial statements.
The City of Tshwane Metro is the leading contributor to unauthorised expenditure with R2,25 billion, followed by eThekwini Metro with R1,78 billion in unauthorised expenditure. 86% of municipalities were non-compliant with the legislation.
There is a growing need for ethical and accountable leaders in the local government. As the primary representatives of Registered Government Auditors (RGA) in the public sector, SAIGA is tasked to develop and maintain a diligent and ethical public sector official and thereby promoting clean governance.
SAIGA’s contribution to capacity building in the public sector especially in the area of accountability has never been more necessary than it is in this current time. The public deserves state entities and departments which passionately advocate for their interests and report continually on the truth of what is actively happening in the public sector.
Rakgwale shares that it is important to maintain a balanced and fair depiction of the state of the public sector. Therefore, as SAIGA we applaud municipalities that have maintained the clean audit status over the four-year period; namely Senqu in the Eastern Cape, Midvaal in Gauteng, Okhahlamba in KwaZulu-Natal, and Witzenberg, Cape Agulhas, Cape Winelands District and Overstrand in the Western Cape.
The strides made in this respect are a direct result of honouring accountability which falls in line with the vision and mission of SAIGA. As an organisation that views itself as a canal for public truth, SAIGA continues to evolve and deepen the inquiry on fair usage and reporting of public assets as this creates an accountability ecosystem for our stakeholders, the public and our members to uphold this ethos in all spheres of their careers, private lives and ultimately society.
Issued by the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors
For For further information, please contact
Nompumelelo Cele
Marketing, PR, Events & Sales
012 004 0741
0764024936
or
Russel Morena
CEO
012 004 0741
0761021946
About the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors
The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors is a non-profit professional body that serves the public interest. Since its inception in 1988, the role and functions of SAIGA have been to serve the public sector and society by advancing public accountability and auditing in its widest sense. As a professional body, SAIGA represents a unique brand of professionals, the Registered Government Auditors (RGA) in the public sector and academia. The RGA is considered the highest professional designation within the public sector auditing. Visit: www.saiga.co.za for more information