SASOLBURG – The Fezile Dabi District Municipality Trust, an entity of the Fezile Dabi District Municipality in the Free State, has been recognised nationally for its financial discipline and good governance.
The Trust received a Certificate of Achievement for attaining a clean audit outcome in the 2023/24 financial year.
The prestigious certificate was presented by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, during the Local Government Indaba held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand recently.
This award is widely seen as a milestone for accountability in public administration, at a time when most municipalities across South Africa continue to face serious governance and audit challenges.
Following the presentation of the certificate, several political parties weighed in on the achievement for the district.
April Motaung of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) congratulated the municipality.
“Opposition parties like EFF contribute to this achievement by fulfilling their effective oversight role, which holds management and executives accountable and encourages adherence to financial regulations and standards. To play an effective oversight role for clean audits on Fezile Dabi District Municipality Trust, the EFF as opposition party used the Auditor-General’s reports to hold the Fezile Dabi District Municipality accountable for financial misstatements, performance report issues, and non-compliance with legislation,” he explained.
Motaung said a clean audit means the municipality’s financial statements, performance reports, and adherence to laws are free from material misstatements or findings.
“EFF will continue to play a vital role in fostering good governance and achieving clean audits within Fezile Dabi District Municipality Trust,” he said.
Meanwhile, DA Caucus Whip in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality Stone Makhema said they will continue to strengthen measures that uphold clean, transparent, and accountable governance.
“We have ensured that we are aware of some of the previous projects, which were used as a means to generate cash for corrupt officials within the institution, have been removed. “
The last concerts and music festivals, which were ‘cash cows’ for these corrupt officials, have now been stopped as they were the cause of excessive irregular and unauthorised expenditure,” he said.
Makhema added that the municipality now ensures that funds meant for service delivery to people of Fezile Dabi are used for the intended purpose and not for festivities.
“Projects aimed at supporting HIV/AIDS and other initiatives are now carried out through the office of the executive mayor. The development and implementation of audit action plans, strict financial controls, effective resource allocation, and a commitment to accountability have resulted in a clean audit report, a rare phenomenon among municipalities in the Free State province. This milestone is evidence of the DA minority government’s commitment, with the support of the council collective, to deliver good governance where we lead,” he said.
