KZN municipalities celebrates KZN’S record 22 clean municipal audits
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) municipalities have for the third time in row achieved strong audit outcomes with 22 municipalities and entities receiving clean audits from the auditor-general, while 34 municipalities received unqualified audits with minor emphasis of matters.
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube has congratulated every one of the 22 of the province’s municipalities and municipal entities that have received clean audits from the Auditor-General for the 2014/2015 financial year - an all-time record for KZN’s local government.
“This is indeed a momentous and milestone occasion for our sphere of local government. This is a moment when our chests swell with pride and our hearts are filled with a sense of accomplishment, particularly as we mark the fifteen years of democratic local government,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
For the first time, KZN’s only metro – eThekwini – has received a clean audit as well as the two aspiring metros – uMsunduzi and uMhlathuze. The other municipalities are Ilembe, uThungulu, Zululand, uMgungundlovu, Hibiscus Coast, Msinga, Nquthu, Ubuhlebezwe, Umdoni, Umhlabuyalingana, Umuziwabantu, Okhahlamba, Ezinqoleni, Umzumbe, and Mandeni.
“In real terms, the number of clean audits in municipalities has increased from 13 to 18 since the previous year. We are the province with the highest number of municipalities in the country and for 3 years running we are doing well. Our hard work as government and that of our mayors in KZN municipalities is now paying off and translating into a significant improvement in audits outcomes and municipal performance,” said Dube-Ncube.
Sour grapes from the opposition noted
“Unfortunately, we have also noted that certain opposition parties are now questioning the integrity of the Auditor-General’s office because these latest audit findings – and particularly the clean audit awarded to eThekwini metro - do not conform to their political narrative. This is unfair and, quite frankly, ludicrous,” said Dube-Ncube.
The continuing improvement in municipal audit outcomes is largely due to the political and administrative leadership starting to set the right tone and leading by example in ensuring that the basics of good governance are in place and are being implemented rigorously.
“We are pleased to report that our municipalities and municipal entities that had obtained clean audits are proof that our Back to Basics programme is yielding positive results. Our municipalities have truly gone “back to the basics” of clean governance, financial management and optimal service delivery,” said Dube-Ncube.
Dube-Ncube also announced a massive gathering of KZN municipalities to celebrate the fifteenth birthday of democratic local government formally established on 5 December 2000 and simultaneously to commemorate President Mandela’s legacy in Ladysmith this coming Saturday.
For more information please contact:
KZN Cogta spokespersons
Cell: 082 884 2403
Msawakhe Mayisela
Cell: 060 966 4220
