The MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies, officially inaugurated the 24th Municipal Annual Financial Statement season yesterday, 24 July 2024. According to a report, in her address to the assembly, MEC Blennies highlighted the responsibility of municipal political leaders to ensure that administrators diligently submit these reports promptly. She pointed out the critical need to enhance the capabilities of municipal finance teams to address gaps and structural shortcomings in their financial human resources. Blennies also expressed concern over the 2023/2024 municipal audit results, which showed a minor decline from the previous year, but she noted significant progress in reducing the number of disclaimers. Additionally, she acknowledged the value of cooperation among municipalities, provincial oversight bodies, and SALGA as they advance towards achieving clean audit operations.MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies officially launched the 24 Municipal Annual Financial Statement (AFS) season yesterday, 24 July 2024. A report states that during her remarks to the plenum, MEC Blennies emphasized that political Leadership of municipalities have got a responsibility to ensure that the municipal administrators work beyond the call of duty to submit these reports timeously. Blennies further alluded that there was an urgent need to work towards strengthening the capacity of municipalities finance teams to respond to gaps and structural deficiencies in their financial human resource muscle. Blennies further lamented the 2023/2024 municipal audit outcomes which indicate a slight regression compared to the previous financial year, although according to her, there has been a great deal of improvement in the number of disclaimers. She also stated that there is a great deal of appreciation for collaboration between the municipalities, provincial oversight departments, and SALGA should there be movement towards the goals of operation clean audits.

Journalist: Rene Julies
Email: rckjulies@gmail.com