Western Cape municipalities lead the way in clean audits

The Western Cape Government commends the outcomes of the 2023/24 Local Government Audits, with 26 municipalities in the province receiving unqualified audits, 20 of which are clean audits, from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).

“We are immensely proud that 20 out of our 30 municipalities once again achieved clean audits. This is a welcomed feat. We will, however, continue to support those that have regressed or that have not yet been able to achieve a clean audit,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning remarked.

Deidré Baartman, Western Cape Minister of Finance, added, “This achievement represents the sustained excellence in financial management on a local government level in the Western Cape. These outcomes also highlight that audits are not just about money, they are also about building trust with our residents, demonstrating that their money is being managed responsibly.”

According to the Auditor-General’s report for the 2023/24 financial year, the following municipalities in the Western Cape received clean audits (unqualified audit opinions with no findings): Bergrivier, Breede Valley, Cape Agulhas, Cape Winelands District, the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein, Garden Route District, George, Hessequa, Langeberg, Matzikama, Mossel Bay, Overberg District, Overstrand, Saldanha Bay, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Swellendam, West Coast District, and Witzenberg.

We are also pleased with the improved results of some municipalities in the 2023/24 financial year. Particularly, Matzikama and Swellendam who achieved clean audits and improved on their unqualified audits with findings outcomes in the previous financial year. 

Minister Bredell highlighted that Beaufort West (qualified), Kannaland (disclaimer), Theewaterskloof (qualified), and Laingsburg (adverse) are continuing to fall short in terms of audit standards, and that the provincial Department of Local Government, together with Provincial Treasury will continue to provide support in this regard. “Strong and ethical political leadership is crucial, as the example is set at the top. It is simply impossible to provide services if your financial management and reporting is in such disarray.”

Bitou, Cederberg, Central Karoo, Knysna, Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert all received unqualified audits with findings. Minister Bredell said it is important to understand the context of these findings and to support these municipalities to rectify the issues identified by the Auditor General. 

“Good financial management is the foundation for quality service delivery and clean audits reflect this commitment. A clean audit is about trust. I want to congratulate municipal officials and leaders who continue to uphold this standard,” Minister Baartman concluded.