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The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Treasury experts to intervene as Free State municipalities face audit crisis
In a decisive move to address the dire state of municipal governance in the Free State, Provincial Treasury will begin deploying skilled experts to struggling municipalities across the province. Bloemfontein Courant reports that the intervention, announced by Free State MEC of Finance Moses Ketso Makume, comes after growing concerns over poor audit outcomes revealed in the latest Auditor-General's report. Speaking during the first day of the oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs last Thursday, Makume said the deployment of internal experts is intended to strengthen financial and administrative governance where it is most needed. 'We are obviously concerned by the Auditor-General's report, but it is also an opportunity to improve governance in our municipalities so that they can do what is expected of them – provide services to the people,' said Makume. Not a single municipality in the Free State received a clean audit in the most recent reporting cycle. One of the most troubled municipalities, Nala Local Municipality was singled out for its instability after operating with two CFOs and two speakers simultaneously. This administrative chaos led to community unrest and recurring service delivery protests. In response, Amos Goliath has since been appointed as an administrator to stabilise the institution. Makume emphasised that relying on costly external consultants had failed to produce results, with no municipality achieving a clean audit despite the financial investment. 'We are going to make use of internal capacity to assist our municipalities and lift them out of this rot. This approach will empower local administrations and help save money,' he said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Western Cape Finance Minister re-tables R89. 3 billion Appropriations Bill as national budget faces uncertain future
Western Cape Finance MEC Deidré Baartman delivers the 2025 Budget Speech in the Provincial Parliament. Image: Supplied Western Cape Finance Minister Deidré Baartman re-tabled the province's R89.3 billion Appropriations Bill after the national government unexpectedly withdrew its budget, including the legally binding Division of Revenue Bill. Addressing the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Baartman clarified that although the process had to be repeated for legal compliance, 'nothing in substance in the Western Cape Appropriations Bill has changed.' The 2025/26 Western Cape Budget still allocates a total of R269.5 billion over the next three years, with more than 80%, or R215.8 billion, dedicated to social services. This includes R101 billion for education, R100 billion for health, R6.4 billion for housing, and R8.4 billion for social protection. In terms of strategic spending, the province is staying the course on its four apex priorities: R43.8 billion to 'Growth for Jobs,' R3.9 billion to safety, R194.9 billion to build an 'Educated, Healthy and Caring Society,' and R23.4 billion to innovation, culture, and governance. 'In light of this,' said Baartman, 'the doors of the Western Cape Government have, and will continue to, remain open.' Despite the chaos at a national level, Baartman assured residents that essential services would remain intact, crediting this stability to provincial fiscal discipline. 'Despite the uncertain fiscal environment, the Western Cape Government can assure this house that we have kept strict protocols in place on cash flow management in the province to ensure service delivery continues uninterrupted,' said Baartman. She also acknowledged the tireless work of officials during this turbulent period. '2025 has really seen us exercise our legal and procedural muscles within the uncertain fiscal space nationally, and I would like to thank the Provincial Treasury team as well as the Legal team in the Department of the Premier for their assistance and guidance throughout this process.' Looking ahead, Baartman expressed hope for a smoother national budget process next year. 'For certainty, fiscal stability and trust, it is my sincere hope that the national budget process for 2026 will flow more effortlessly.' IOL News
