The City of Joburg tabled its Integrated Annual Report for the 2015/16 financial year at its 26 January council meeting, and it reflects how sloppily the City used its R52.6 billion budget during this period to deliver services.
Mayor Herman Mashaba said the auditor general’s report shows rampant maladministration under the previous African National Congress-led government. “The City’s audit outcomes for 2015/16 show an overall regression compared to the previous financial year. During 2014/15, six out of 12 City entities had a clean audit outcome while only four entities achieved this outcome in the 2015/16 financial year,” he said.
The expenditure of about R26 million, one of the cases that was not thoroughly investigated in the past, was categorised as fruitless and wasteful. “This also means that individuals implicated are yet to face investigation and possible criminal charges,” Mashaba said.
Unauthorised expenditure reached about R3.4 billion and irregular expenditure reached about R1.7 billion after the contravention of supply chain management procedures in the City. Mashaba said the average 90-day waiting period for payments to suppliers by the City was unacceptable and he would change this. The City has set up a compliance unit that would scrutinise all supply chain management contracts.
The auditor general had found other irregularities within contract management and procurement processes that were indicative of the need for a competent, trustworthy and professional civil service. “The 33 000 employees of the City must be aligned to the outcomes of our service and economic delivery agenda.”
To see what the City spends, go to www.municipalmoney.gov.za and search for City of Joburg to have a user-friendly look. The latest report might not yet be available.
