PHALABORWA – Mopani District Municipality’s Mayor Pule Shayi is confident that the district is on track to secure improved audit outcomes this year, with the prospect of an unqualified audit opinion for the municipality and at least two local municipalities moving towards clean audits.

Speaking at the opening of a district-wide session of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) last Thursday morning, Shayi said these improvements would add to the achievements already recorded by the Limpopo provincial government. The session brought together speakers and MPAC members from all five municipalities in the district against the backdrop of ongoing audits by the Auditor-General.

The mayor emphasised that Mopani is making steady progress in strengthening its internal control systems. He cited the recent detection of fraud within the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and fuel management processes as evidence of the municipality’s commitment to accountability.

“It was detected by us out of our own system, and we said that we need to investigate. We suspended some officials,” he said, adding that consequence management is being implemented.

Shayi also stressed the municipality’s commitment to water provision across the district.

He explained that the long-term solution remains bulk water supply from source to household reticulation. However, where this is not immediately possible, boreholes and water tankers are being used as alternatives to ensure that communities are not left without water.

“So that there is no gap. But if we are able to infuse all three at once, they support each other, he said. That is why we introduced Hi Nwa Mati Friday, brought in operations and maintenance teams, and launched Operation Fix All. We are focusing on boreholes while bigger projects are still running.”

Turning to MPAC, the mayor urged members to remain ethical, professional and focused on their mandate. He cautioned against allowing distractions or intimidation to undermine their work.

“We must reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the work of MPAC and council continues to be conducted openly and transparently, he said. Don’t unwittingly erode your own credibility and create an environment of fear in the institution. We are depending on your investigations and your probing so that we elevate and hold each other accountable,” he concluded.