THE Maruleng Municipality has appointed accountant, Eddie Makamu as the new chief financial officer.
Makamu, who started at the beginning of the month, has replaced Rosina Ngoveni, who resigned two years ago to join the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality.
Despite using the services of consultants to assist with the preparation of financial statements while searching for a CFO, the municipality regressed from an unqualified audit to attain two qualified audit opinions from the Auditor-General.
After obtaining a BCom degree in accounting and auditing in 1986, Makamu underwent Accelerated Training Programme with the Standard Bank and an audit apprenticeship with Gencor Mining Co. between 1987 and 1991.
Makamu completed a number of training programmes including the Certificate Programme in Municipal Finance Development offered by the Wits Business School. He is also a registered professional accountant under the auspices of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants since 2002.
Between 1992 and 2014, Makamu served in the following positions:
• Senior accountant at Northern Province Development Cooperation (now Limpopo Economic Development Agency).
• Deputy director finance at the South African Human Rights Commission.
• Finance and administration manager at the South African National Parks (Kruger National Park).
• Deputy chief finance officer at the Capricorn District Municipality.
• Chief finance officer at the Greater Giyani Municipality.
• Business development officer at the National Crafts Association.
• Consultant at Kgorong Consultancy and Financial Services.
• Consultant (for municipal support) at Ngubane Chartered Accountants or Kgorong JV.
• Monitoring and evaluation officer at the provincial department of health.
• Parliamentary liaison officer for the provincial department of health and social development.
According to the Maruleng mayor, Pule Mafologele, the municipality did not want to settle for less, especially after obtaining unqualified audit opinions in two consecutive financial years with the former CFO.
“With the acquisition of a knowledgeable person like Makamu, it heralds hope that the attainment of a clean audit opinion is within reach,” said Mafologele.
The municipal manager, Refilwe Ramothwala indicated that all critical positions in the budget and treasury department would be filled in a period of a month or two.