Latest news with #DrZweliMkhize
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Committee Mobilises Joint Oversight to Tackle Municipal Audit Failures
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), together with the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), and other relevant parliamentary oversight committees, have committed to a coordinated approach to municipal oversight. This follows the alarming municipal audit outcomes that the Office of the Auditor-General (AG) reported to the committee earlier this year. During the committee meeting this morning, the Chairperson, Dr Zweli Mkhize, expressed deep concern at the lack of progress in municipal finances. The audit outcomes for local government for the 2023/24 financial year showed that only 16% of 257 municipalities achieved clean audits, while the rest either regressed or remained stagnant, with audit opinions ranging from qualified to disclaimers or non-submissions. When she presented the audit outcomes to the committee earlier this year, the AG noted that, despite having exercised all available remedial powers under the amended Public Audit Act, the audit outcomes remained largely unimproved. In response to this, Dr Mkhize said that the committee will adopt a revised and more collaborative oversight model with a focus on intergovernmental accountability. Based on this new model, the committee will, with relevant oversight committees, conduct joint visits to provinces and municipalities, beginning with the Free State on 24 and 25 July. Oversight visits to the North West and Eastern Cape will then follow. According to the Chairperson, the committee wants to avoid duplication, promote institutional coherence and ensure that every sphere of government accounts for its constitutional responsibilities through this collaboration. During these oversight visits, Members of Parliament will engage with Premiers, Speakers of the provincial legislatures, Members of Executive Councils (MECs), municipal mayors, Speakers of municipal councils, and accounting officers. Provincial legislatures will also be involved in the process. 'The purpose of this,' the Chairperson said, 'is to evaluate the systemic causes behind repeat audit failures and to demand clear responses on what corrective actions have been taken and what measures are in place to prevent further regression.' The focus is on accountability and ensuring that there are consequences to prevent repeat offenders, the Chairperson said, adding that this will help improve governance and ensure effective service delivery. He said the committees would pay particular attention to repeat disclaimer audit opinions, the poor quality of financial statements, overreliance on consultants without any tangible improvement, and persistent irregular expenditure. Unfunded budgets, non-functional internal audit units and poor contract management will also come under the spotlight. Dr Mkhize confirmed that the committee sought legal clarity about coordinating oversight across spheres of government. He said the committee solicited several legal opinions to ensure the planned oversight is rooted in the principles of cooperative governance with due regard for the autonomy of each sphere of government. The Chairperson said the committee is satisfied that the oversight plan now aligns with constitutional provisions. 'This new approach,' he said, 'reflects Parliament's commitment to proactively preventing dysfunction rather than reacting to failures. It is designed to hold not only municipalities accountable but also provincial governments, which are constitutionally obligated under Section 154 of the Constitution to support and monitor local government. Premiers and MECs will therefore be asked to account for how they have fulfilled their oversight roles, particularly in cases where municipalities have consistently underperformed.' The Chairperson said this joint oversight model is an institutional response to the Auditor-General's earlier call for decisive intervention and her letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly. 'The Office of the Auditor-General should not be placed in a position where it is compelled to perform administrative duties, such as correcting municipal submissions,' he said. 'The AG's function is to provide independent audit outcomes, not to compensate for governance failures.' Dr Mkhize reiterated the importance of this new collaborative oversight approach and said it is an important shift from fragmented accountability to a much-needed collective responsibility. 'We intend for this model to serve not only as a corrective measure but also as a blueprint for systemic reform and to ensure that audit reports reflect tangible improvements in governance and service delivery at the municipal level,' he said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Herald
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Improve protection of anti-corruption officials, whistle-blowers: Mkhize
Reforms to safeguard those who speak out and act against corruption must be urgently expedited. These are the sentiments of Cogta portfolio committee chair Dr Zweli Mkhize after the murder of Ekurhuleni senior auditor Mpho Mafole, who was gunned down on Monday while driving along the R23 in Esselen Park. Police found his body inside his vehicle, riddled with gunshot wounds. Mkhize said the nature of Mafole's work underscored the often dangerous responsibilities taken by people at the forefront of rooting out corruption in public institutions. 'The committee condemns this cowardly and violent act, as this not only threatens the lives of dedicated public servants but also seeks to intimidate and hinder efforts to build clean and accountable governance, particularly in our municipalities, where systemic failures persist,' he said. Mkhize said Mafole's killing was a stark reminder of the urgent need to strengthen the protection of whistle-blowers and anti-corruption officials, and that municipalities and the rest of the government should uphold the highest standards of financial oversight and integrity. The City of Ekurhuleni said the fatal shooting was a senseless act. Communications head, Phakamile Mbengashe said they were saddened, t and will work with authorities to find the perpetrators. He said the incident highlighted the importance of the city's safety measures. 'The safety and wellbeing of our employees remain our highest priority. The city has robust security measures in place at all its facilities, and continues to monitor the situation closely. C ounselling services will be made available to staff members affected by the loss,' he said. On Tuesday, f amily spokesperson Tebogo Mphuthi told Sowetan the family was desperate for answers. 'We don't know where to start or who to ask for answers. We were shocked that anyone could want to harm him.' SowetanLIVE
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Committee Condemns Killing of Ekurhuleni Metro's Forensic Audit Chief
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has learned with shock about the brutal assassination of Mr Mpho Mafole, the City of Ekurhuleni's group divisional head of corporate and forensic audits. According to media reports, the 47-year-old was gunned down on Monday while driving along the R23 in Esselen Park. Police reportedly discovered Mr Mafole's body inside his vehicle, riddled with gunshot wounds. Mr Mafole, who was appointed to the position only three months ago, brought with him an impressive track record of public service, including 14 years in the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa. He was tasked with uncovering financial irregularities and promoting transparency in the City of Ekurhuleni, one of the country's largest municipalities. Committee Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize said the nature of Mr Mafole's work underscored the often-dangerous responsibilities undertaken by those at the forefront of rooting out corruption in our public institutions. 'The committee condemns this cowardly and violent act as this not only threatens the lives of dedicated public servants but also seeks to intimidate and hinder efforts to build clean and accountable governance, particularly in our municipalities where systemic failures persist,' said the Chairperson. Dr Mkhize said this tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers and anti-corruption officials. 'Reforms to safeguard those who speak out and act against corruption must urgently be expedited.' He said municipalities, and the rest of government, must uphold the highest standards of financial oversight and integrity. The Chairperson also noted that this tragedy comes as the committee prepares for the start of extensive oversight visits across provinces to demand accountability from municipalities following the latest dismal municipal audit outcomes. 'The committee will continue to exercise its oversight mandate, working with all spheres of government to ensure that those who risk their lives in service of public accountability are protected and that the rot that enables criminality is eradicated,' he said. 'The committee extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr Mafole's family, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time. We urge law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Zawya
Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Committee Chairperson Calls for Assistance for Flood Victims in Eastern Cape and KZN
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has noted with sadness the severe flooding that has left 49 people dead so far and others without homes as flood waters washed away houses and destroyed road infrastructure in the Eastern Cape. According to media reports, the disruptive rains, strong winds and snowfall that have hit the province hard started on Monday. Schooling has been suspended in the affected areas and some 58 schools have been damaged in the OR Tambo coastal area, Amathole East and Alfred Nzo West, the most affected areas in the province. The bodies of four children, a driver and a conductor who were on a bus that was carried away in flood waters as it was crossing a bridge near Mthatha on Tuesday morning are among those that have been recovered. Dr Mkhize said the committee calls for assistance from all those who are able to assist the families affected by floods in the Eastern Cape, particularly in the worst affected districts. Dr Mkhize said disasters of this nature are not new, they come and go, even this one is certainly going to pass. 'We note its catastrophic consequences with broken hearts, however,' emphasised Dr Mkhize. He said the committee extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of those who passed away as a result of the floods. 'We are with you in this very difficult and heavy time of loss of the loved ones. May their souls rest in eternal peace.' As floods continue, according to media reports, the number of victims may rise. KwaZulu-Natal also experienced flooding and at least 68 schools across nine districts in KZN have been damaged, although no fatalities have been recorded according to media reports. The committee has noted reports of injuries arising from damage to houses and other infrastructure in parts of KZN in the past few days as a result of adverse weather conditions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Committee Welcomes Seminal Review of White Paper on Local Government
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has welcomed the launch of the seminal Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, hailing it as an important step towards more accountable and efficient local governments, resulting in better service delivery. Committee Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize and several committee members attended the launch event in Johannesburg on Monday. The review was launched under the theme 'Every municipality must work – A call to collective action'. The Chairperson said the review is long overdue, as a lot has changed in local government since the first White Paper, with many municipalities struggling and dysfunctional. He said the vision for local government as an important lever in addressing historical injustices and improving people's lives has not aligned with the lived realities in communities over the years. 'Now, this review provides an important pause to reinvigorate and chart a new trajectory of growth, development and efficiency for our municipalities,' the Chairperson said. He invited all stakeholders to make their voices heard in the planned consultations that will follow, as the review is set to address service delivery challenges in municipalities and the funding model for local government, among other things. 'The committee is looking forward to interacting with the review process of the White Paper on Local Government,' said the Chairperson. The review is expected to be finalised by March of next year. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
