The South African Local Government Association (Salga) in Gauteng hosted the third Annual Municipal Audit Awards on May 30, recognising municipalities that excelled in financial management and compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Held at the Premier Hotel in Kempton Park, the event honoured municipalities that demonstrated strong governance practices, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.

The awards are based on findings from the Auditor-General of South Africa and aim to promote a culture of accountability and excellence in local government.

Now in its third year, the awards have become a significant fixture on the provincial governance calendar, serving as a benchmark for performance among Gauteng’s eleven municipalities.

Among those in attendance were Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile, oversight bodies, and a broad spectrum of public sector stakeholders.

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Their presence highlighted the collective commitment to ethical and effective governance at the municipal level.

“We are aware of the governance challenges facing municipalities in Gauteng, but we believe it is important to recognise and celebrate the good work being done,” said Jongizizwe Dlabathi, chairperson of Salga Gauteng.

“These awards not only honour consistent performers but also inspire a culture of compliance, accountability, and transparency.”

The ceremony served as a platform to share best practices and encourage continued improvement across municipalities.

Salga reaffirmed its support through the municipal audit support programme – a targeted initiative designed to assist municipalities in identifying audit shortcomings and enhancing financial performance.

By celebrating these achievements, Salga underscored its ongoing commitment to strengthening municipal governance, improving audit outcomes, and ultimately ensuring better service delivery to communities across Gauteng.

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