A collaborative effort to advance clean audits and improve service delivery took centre stage at the Municipal Finance Management Act Audit Indaba held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
Municipal leaders, finance experts, auditors and governance practitioners from across KwaZulu-Natal gathered for the two-day event to identify practical and strategic solutions aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing accountability and improving municipal performance.
Hosted by the Municipal Institute of Learning (MILE) in partnership with KZN CoGTA, SAICA and the Auditor-General of South Africa, the Indaba reinforced a shared commitment to achieving clean audits and strengthening financial governance as the foundation of credible, accountable and people-centred service delivery.
EThekwini Municipality Chief Financial Officer, Sandile Mnguni, said the engagement was critical in addressing persistent audit challenges and accelerating progress towards clean audits.
“The latest Auditor-General’s report shows that only 16 percent of municipalities achieved clean audits. This highlights the urgency of addressing root causes and implementing practical solutions that deliver measurable improvements in service delivery,” he said.
Mnguni emphasised that clean audits are a reflection of disciplined governance, sound financial management and institutional integrity.
“Strong internal controls ensure that services are delivered to communities efficiently, restore public trust and maximise value for every rand spent. Municipalities must eliminate non-compliance and consistently enforce consequence management,” he added.
Held under the theme, ‘Strengthening Financial Governance and Accountability to Achieve Sustainable Audit Outcomes’, the Indaba moved beyond dialogue to action. It provided a platform for municipalities to interrogate audit outcomes, address recurring challenges and identify strategies to improve financial management, compliance and accountability.
Delegates highlighted the importance of strengthening internal controls, improving audit readiness and embedding a culture of accountability throughout municipal institutions.
Sessions also focused on compliance with Generally Recognised Accounting Practice 104 and showcased best practices to support improved audit outcomes across municipalities.
MILE Senior Manager, Fezile Njokweni, acknowledged progress made in recent years but cautioned that audit outcomes remain uneven across the sector.
“The priority now is consistent and disciplined implementation to drive improved performance, long-term sustainability and greater public value, while restoring confidence in municipal governance,” he said.
Njokweni added that the Indaba reaffirmed the direct link between strong financial governance and quality service delivery, noting that effective resource management is essential to meeting the needs and expectations of communities.
The successful Indaba signals a renewed commitment to clean governance, strengthened accountability and the delivery of services with integrity, efficiency and impact.
This collective resolve strengthens partnerships across institutions and positions municipalities to achieve sustained audit improvements while ensuring that public resources translate into tangible development outcomes for communities across the province and beyond.
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