Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) has received an unqualified audit opinion with findings for the 2017/18 financial year from the Auditor-General (AG), while Polokwane Municipality’s report was not disclosed to the media as yet and Vhembe District Municipality’s (VDM) report allegedly revealed unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure to an amount of more than
R1,2 billion.
Spokesperson for CDM, Moffat Senyatsi said in a media release that this is CDM’s fifth consecutive unqualified audit opinion, which means the municipality’s financial management and governance remain sound and that remedial measures have been taken in line with emphasis of being an accountable and transparent administration.
“It was through hard work that the municipality has for the fifth time achieved this good audit performance. It’s an indication of the commitment we made to ensure that public finances are managed well and that all costs incurred are accounted for. It is most important to ensure that all resources are used towards improving the quality of life of our people”, Executive Mayor John Mpe is quoted to have said.
“The number of material findings were significantly reduced, meaning that measures were put in place to address findings raised in the previous report and that controls are in order to improve chances of a clean audit. There is still much to be done to clear all findings and attain a clean audit but with the enthusiasm and the systems we have put in place, we are confident that we are on the right path”, he added.
“The Audit Report is now with the municipality’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) for oversight, further interrogation and recommendation to council for any action required,” Senyatsi concluded.
Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said that the Auditor-General’s report on the municipality’s affairs for the 2017/18 financial year did not form part of the agenda for last Tuesday’s council meeting. “It was referred to the MPAC for further attention,” Mothapo said.
In another development, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo on Wednesday filed a complaint with the office of the Public Protector to probe VDM after an amount of over R1,2 billion was allegedly incurred and regarded as unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure and cannot be accounted for. DA Limpopo Premier candidate, Jacques Smalle said in a media release that the figures are contained in the AG’s report issued in December 2018.
“The DA can confirm that the municipality has incurred R486 million in irregular expenditure, R640 million in unauthorised expenditure and R17 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure in 2016/2017 (sic) financial year and no steps were taken to recoup the money,” Smalle said.
Africa Boso, Senior Manager Media Relations of the AG South Africa confirmed that a comprehensive report on the findings of municipal audits will be released by the AG after it is tabled in Parliament around June.
Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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