Media Room

30 November 2012 - In what can be described as a historic occurrence, the Emfuleni Local Municipality has attained   unqualified audit opinion in the 2011/2012 financial year. This is the most positive audit outcome of the Municipality for the first time in the history of Emfuleni Local Municipality.

The report was handed over to the Executive Mayor of Emfuleni Cllr Greta Hlongwane by Mr Paul Serote, Corporate Executive in the Gauteng office of the Auditor General during the handover event held at the Apartheid Museum in Gold Reef in Johannesburg today.

It is a great achievement for the Municipality considering the 2006 - 2008 disclaimer audit opinions that the Municipality received. These were followed by qualified audit opinions that were received from 2008/2009 until 2010/2011 financial years with two qualifications and 118 audit findings.

The Auditor-General’s report on the financial statement reads thus: “In my opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Emfuleni Local Municipality as at 30 June 2012, and its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with SA Standards of GRAP and the requirements of the MFMA”.

This milestone was achieved through the commitment of the Executive Mayor and her team by ensuring ongoing monitoring of the oversight of financial reports, compliance reports as well as effective risk management. It is also through Mayor Hlongwane’s quarterly engagements with the Audit Committee Chairperson on the effectiveness of internal controls, quality and credibility of financial statements and internal audit unit.

“It has been through good governance, proper financial management and good internal control environment. More importantly, it has been through good senior management leadership under the guidance of the Municipal Manager Mr Sam Shabalala, commitment and dedication of our staff members that has contributed to this success,” said Mayor Greta Hlongwane.

The achievement of an unqualified opinion is a clear indication that Emfuleni Local Municipality is working towards meeting the objective of “Operation Clean Audit 2014” as it was announced by the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

“Our goal from this financial year is to take this to a higher level and ensure that we exercise oversight responsibility, implement effective human resource practices and appropriate policies and procedures. In addition to that, we will also ensure that there is sound financial and performance management, that risks are periodically identified, assessed and effectively mitigated,” said Municipal Manager Mr Sam Shabalala.

The Emfuleni Local Municipality will continue its commitment to operation clean audit 2014, in order to promote a positive attitude and regain the confidence of the public with regards to enhanced service delivery.

Issued by the Communication Unit
Enquiries: Klaas Mofomme
Spokesperson: Emfuleni Local Municipality
Contact: 016 – 950 5309 / 082 610 5718
E-mail:  klaasm@emfuleni.gov.za