Mayors under fire for poor municipal oversight

Only 41 municipalities achieved clean audits

- THAMI MAGUBANE

MAYORS of poorly performing municipalities are facing criticism and have been accused of failing to perform their oversight responsibilities and act against underperforming officials.

The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), Tsakani Maluleke, took mayors to task amid revelations that many municipalities in the country are poorly managed.

She recently tabled her report on the outcomes of municipalities for the 2024-2025 financial year. The report revealed that only 41 of the country's 257 municipalities achieved clean audits.

The AGSA said the performance of municipalities reflected the tone set at the top by those appointed to lead them, adding that mayors contributed to the malaise by failing to perform oversight on officials.

Maluleke highlighted during an interview that mayors had responsibilities and powers vested in law.

The Structures Act details the responsibilities of the mayor, which include financial responsibility.

The mayor is designated as the “councillor responsible for financial matters”, including preparing and submitting the draft budget to the council, national/provincial treasury, and other relevant bodies.