AG report reveals Ramaphosa’s daydreams about municipalities

12 February 2024 

Information contained in a report by the Auditor-General (AG), Ms Tsakani Maluleke, which was tabled to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the AG, paints a sombre picture of the state of financial management specifically in ANC-controlled municipalities.

Very little progress has been made in recovering the loss of R5,2 billion, incurred during the 2021/2022 financial year as a result of, among other things, mismanagement and corruption at 170 municipalities.

This is despite the AG repeatedly warning these municipalities to take remedial steps.

It stands in stark contrast to the statements President Cyril Ramaphosa made last Thursday evening about the successes the ANC government achieved with its District Development Model (DDM), which supposedly aims to improve municipal service delivery.

More than R100 million has already been spent on planning this Model, without there being any notable results.

Taking into account that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) as well as provincial governments possesses extensive powers to call municipalities to order, it is clear that the ANC-led governments have no political will to eradicate corruption and mismanagement.

The ANC culture of lawlessness and looting of public resources is simply too deeply rooted in all levels of government.

This state of affairs proves, once again, that the ANC government's so-called DDM, and its apparent commitment to improving service delivery, is no more than daydreaming and a cynical election gimmick.

Ethical and professional governance can only be restored if a strong coalition government, of which the FF Plus is part, is elected.

Issued by Michael Groenewald, FF Plus MP and chief spokesperson: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), 12 February 2024