Maile: Audit report reveals widespread financial mismanagement in Gauteng municipalities

By Thapelo Molefe

Despite some improvements in municipal audit outcomes across the province, alarming financial mismanagement continues to plague cities like Tshwane and Emfuleni, both failing to shake off their qualified audit statuses.

This is according to the latest report by the Gauteng Provincial Treasury, which shows a stark contrast that while some municipalities are progressing, others continue to lag behind, failing to meet basic financial compliance standards.

Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, announced this during a media briefing on the province’s municipal finances and the 2023/24 audit outcomes by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).

“The audit opinions for the City of Tshwane and Emfuleni Local Municipality are unchanged from the 2022/23 financial year, with both being qualified,” said Maile.

“This is an indication of the inability by the said municipalities to implement the recommendations made by the AGSA in the 2022/23 financial year audit