AG report: cadre deployment failing 

The release of the findings by Auditor-General, Terrence Nombembe on the performance of municipalities clearly reveals just how the policy of cadre deployment is failing South Africa.

According to the Auditor-General, local government audit results for the 2011-12 financial year have "generally regressed" - only 48% of the 338 municipalities and entities audited managed to obtain financially unqualified audit opinions. 

This means that over half of South Africa's municipalities and entities are failing to keep and maintain financial records. There is clearly a lack of leadership, accountability and commitment as a result of cadre deployment with:

• 71% of the audited parties still depend on consultants to assist in financial reporting;
• At 73%, vacancies in key positions at entities hamper proper financial management and reporting;
• Procurement processes continue to be a point of contention with R118 million in contracts and tenders awarded to municipality employees and councillors, coupled with uncompetitive or unfair procurement processes and inadequate contract management.

I will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to request that the Auditor-General's report be tabled before the committee for scrutiny. I will also table a motion for debate in Parliament that the house, as soon as possible, consider the disastrous impact that cadre deployment has had on service delivery, specifically on the poor.

The people of South Africa deserve efficient and clean government and the DA-led Western Cape government has once again proven that change is possible. 

The DA-led City of Cape Town and Midvaal municipalities have this year received their eighth and ninth successive unqualified audits, respectively.

Auditor-General Nombembe has attributed the improvement in these municipalities to the leadership commitment. 

In order for us to provide this clean governance to all South Africans we need to win elections. That is why after next year's elections the DA could start to provide its quality service delivery to at least two other provinces beyond the Western Cape.  The people of Gauteng and the Northern Cape will vote for service delivery and make this a reality.

Statement issued by John Steenhuisen MP, DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, August 13 2013

Summary of audit outcomes for current and prior year  

Source: Auditor General of South Africa 

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