It was a definite sweet 16 for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) as it celebrated its first clean audit for the 2021/22 financial year.

Speaking during the celebration at BanaBaka Spa & Venue on Tuesday September 13, the MTPA board’s chairperson, Victor Mashego, applauded the staff members who worked tirelessly in the previous financial year and pledged to keep a clean record for the coming years.

“I believe this milestone is the start of many and a call for stakeholders of the entity to put in all their efforts to keep the clean record. As the board, we are delighted to receive such an outcome, because it restores public trust in the public entity and confirms that the public purse is used as required.

“The board has been in office for less than a year and we can see the magnificent impact they have brought in the success of the entity under the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT). We introduced committees that strengthened controls and efforts that has led the MTPA to be commended by the Auditor-General of South Africa,” Mashego said.

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Passing on his congratulatory words, the MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, Vusi Mkhatshwa, said he expected the entity to keep a clean record in the following years and to set an example to other government entities.

“The MTPA has started the race and it is advisable that the baton is not dropped. Of course, the DEDT is the institute to be held accountable when such entities are not performing, but we are proud of the visibility that there are no misused funds and investments.

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“When I came into office, I found the MTPA was working with great enthusiasm and in accordance with what it is expected of them, because they work in the interest of the public. Jobs should be created at all the parks managed by them,” Mkhatshwa said.