While acknowledging that challenges still remain, Cabinet says the outcomes of the 2022/23 national and provincial government audits dispel claims that State capacity is in total collapse .
“Cabinet was briefed by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the outcomes of the 2022/23 financial year national and provincial audits .
“The AGSA pointed out an encouraging trend of continuous improved performance, which indicates overall improvement in accountability, transparency, adequacy and effectiveness of controls .
“The departments and institutions that have achieved unqualified audits with no findings (clean audits) have increased from 94 during the 2018/2019 to 147 during 2022/2023, reporting a year-on-year improvement,” said Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, at a Post-Cabinet media briefing on Monday .
The AG’s report also showed that the departments and institutions that have achieved unqualified audits with findings are 162, which represents 39% of the audited institutions .
The AG noted that the institutions and departments with disclaimed findings have decreased from 25 during the 2018/2019 reporting period to five during the 2022/2023 reporting period, which represents only 1% of audited institutions .
“Although the Auditor-General reports an estimated R14 billion in financial losses, measures to address material irregularities also show an improvement .
“Although challenges still remain, the outcomes of the 2022/23 national and provincial government audits dispel claims that State capacity is in total collapse, with independent and objective assessment by institutions such as the AGSA indicating a very strong and continuous improvement trajectory,” Ntshavheni said .
Gauteng metros commended for addressing water challenges
Cabinet also commended the ongoing daily meetings by a joint team of three metropolitan municipalities, including Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Tshwane, and Rand Water, to address root causes of water challenges .
“At the centre of Gauteng province’s water challenges is water losses caused by old municipal infrastructure and deficiencies in water leakage monitoring and efficient repairs,” Ntshavheni said .
Cabinet also commended reports that the disputes that resulted in delays towards the implementation of Mzimvubu Dam have been resolved .
Site establishment commenced in early November, while consultations with traditional leaders on social issues is underway .
Cabinet was further updated on the raising of the Clanwilliam Dam wall to increase storage capacity to 344 million cubic meters for the benefit of the people of West Coast District Municipality, Cederberg Local Municipality and Matsikama Local Municipality .
Meanwhile, Cabinet was also briefed that the construction of the Tzaneen Dam recommenced in June 2023, with the estimated completion date of April 2025 .