CLAUDI MAILOVICH: Ailing local governments are a burden on the state
Auditor-general Kimi Makwetu again highlights the deteriorating accountability in municipalities, which are crucial in helping the economy grow
What happens when a company’s managers do not spend shareholders’ money as they should? They get fired. What happens when politicians fail to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent properly? Nothing. At least that has been the story of SA’s municipalities so far. But if auditor-general Kimi Makwetu had his way they probably would be fired.
Makwetu painted a dire picture of SA’s municipalities during this week’s release of the audit outcomes for the 2017/2018 financial year. As in previous years the audit outcomes regressed, with only 18 municipalities hanging on to their clean audit status. More worryingly, the financial status of 76% of municipalities was deemed of concern and requiring intervention. This, and the fact that 92% of municipalities audited had material noncompliance with key legislation, should elicit more than just passing outrage...
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