The Greater Tzaneen Municipality Political Management Team and officials the Annual South African Local Government Association Municipal Audit Awards.
The Greater Tzaneen, Greater Letaba, Greater Giyani and Maruleng municipalities won accolades at the Annual South African Local Government Association Municipal Audit Awards held in Polokwane last week.
In his opening address the SALGA Limpopo provincial chairperson and Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality John Makoro Mpe said he is proud because of the performance that Limpopo municipalities continue to unleash, audit year after audit year.
“The 2022 Audit Reports make me happy because we are solid in our collective performance,” Mpe said.
Delivering the keynote address under the theme, “Inspiring service delivery through strong financial oversight,” MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Basikopo Makamu, commended the Limpopo province for its good showing in the positive audit outcomes by its municipalities.
According to the Auditor General of South Africa’s report, for the first time in the past five years, the province has been able to yield two clean audits in the 2021/2022 financial year.
Makamu congratulated the Waterberg District Municipality for maintaining its clean audit, and the Capricorn District Municipality for returning to its clean audit ways.
Polokwane municipality was recognized for having improved to an unqualified audit outcome, the feat that had not been achieved in the past four financial years.
In the same breath, Bela-Bela municipality received recognition for moving from the dreaded disclaimer audit outcome, to unqualified, and Greater Giyani for returning to an unqualified audit.
On the Mopani District Municipality disclaimer audit, Makamu said, “We are hopeful, especially with the appeal made by Premier Mathabatha at the Premier Inter-Governmental Forum, that the Mopani District Municipality and its continued disclaimer outcome will welcome the assistance afforded to it and regain its glory.
Makamu further made an appeal to district municipalities that are in good standing, to support the local municipalities to achieve clean audits.
While he extolled the improving municipal audit outcomes, Makamu mourned the underspending on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant. So far, a disappointing total of nine municipalities have spent below twenty nine per cent of their grants – with Thabazimbi being on zero per cent spending.
Seven municipalities spent between thirty per cent and fifty six per cent, and another nine spent between sixty and ninety-two per cent – with Maruleng in the Mopani district having spent the highest at ninety-one per cent.
The Mopani municipalities that received trophies for 100% spending on their Municipal Infrastructure Grants are Tzaneen, Greater Letaba and Maruleng. For receiving additional MIG allocation are Greater Tzaneen and Maruleng. Those that sustained unqualified opinions are Greater Tzaneen, Greater Giyani, Greater Letaba and Maruleng.
Greater Giyani scored for receiving unqualified audit opinion and most improved audit performance.
The awards ceremony was attended by mayors, councillors, chief finance officers, municipal managers, Auditor General of South Africa, Independent Electoral Commission and the Departments of Treasury and COGHSTA.
