Officials commented on the matter. ### NUT GRAF: While the Western Cape boasts the highest number of clean audits among South Africa’s provinces, the Auditor-General’s report for 2024-25 highlights significant challenges. Six of the province’s municipalities adopted unfunded budgets, and 22 incurred R48.
77 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Additionally, Kannaland, Beaufort West, and Theewaterskloof were flagged for going — concern uncertainties. ### BODY: The Auditor-General’s consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes for 2024-25 underscores the ongoing struggle with financial management at the municipal level.
Despite improvements, the report indicates that only 41 municipalities achieved clean audits, and over 100 operated with unfunded budgets.
This paints a concerning picture of financial discipline and accountability in South African municipalities.
In the Western Cape, the situation is somewhat better, with 24 municipalities (80%) receiving an unqualified opinion without relying on the audit process.
This achievement is attributed to municipal managers adhering to legislative requirements to prepare monthly budget statements and perform mid — year budget and performance assessments.
However, the Auditor — General’s warnings are a stark reminder that progress is not uniform, and challenges persist.
The report also highlights the broader context of the local government sector’s financial mismanagement, weak accountability, and deteriorating performance in major metros.
### KICKER: As the Western Cape province grapples with these challenges, the Auditor-General’s report serves as a call to action for local government officials to strengthen financial management and accountability.
The stakes are high, as effective municipal governance is crucial for service delivery, economic growth, and public confidence. What remains to be seen is whether the latest audit outcomes will prompt the necessary reforms in the Western Cape’s municipal governance landscape.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Google News v2
