KOUGA Municipality has received its first-ever clean audit, since its formation in 2000, from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) for the 2023/24 financial year.
According to the AGSA, 34 out of 257 municipalities in South Africa received clean audits for the 2023 financial year. A clean audit, also known as an unqualified opinion, means that an auditor found no issues with a company’s financial records. The AGSA has not yet audited all South African municipalities for the 2023/4 financial year.
The municipality said this landmark achievement highlights the municipality’s unwavering commitment to financial accountability, sound governance, and service excellence.
The clean audit signifies that the municipality demonstrated credible and reliable financial and performance reporting, with all expenditure properly accounted for. It reflects a strong financial position, underscored by zero instances of irregular, fruitless, wasteful, or unauthorized expenditure – a distinction achieved by very few municipalities nationwide.
Kouga executive mayor Hattingh Bornman expressed immense pride in the municipality’s accomplishment, crediting the dedication and professionalism to the municipal manager, Charl du Plessis and the chief financial officer, Riaaz Lorgat.
“This clean audit outcome is a testament to our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance,” said Bornman. “It confirms the municipality’s position as the best in the Eastern Cape in both service delivery and financial stability.”
“We have worked tirelessly to instill a culture of integrity within our organisation, and this milestone reflects our collective effort to serve the people of Kouga responsibly and effectively.”
He emphasised the broader significance of this achievement: “Good governance forms the foundation of a thriving community. When trust, openness, and accountability guide our actions, we create a resilient and prosperous society for all.”
Bornman said, “This is not just a milestone for Kouga Municipality; it is a victory for our communities. It assures our residents that every rand is spent prudently with their best interests at heart.
“While we still have many challenges in Kouga Municipality, I take confidence in the fact that we are building a brighter future for Kouga, setting the standard for what effective local government should look like.”
