North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has welcomed the significant improvement in the 2023/24 audit outcomes for provincial departments, which show a marked progression from the previous year.

In the latest audit cycle ended 31 March 2024, a total of nine out of 12 departments received unqualified audit reports, whereby two of them received clean audits. Only one department received a qualified audit outcome, with a reduction in audit qualification paragraphs.

The provincial government said this positive trend reflects government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing financial management, accountability and transparency across all its departments and entities.

‘We are particularly encouraged by the increase in clean audits and the overall accuracy of our financial statements. These improvements are aligned to our ongoing efforts to build public trust, enhance service delivery and improve the lives of the people of the North West,’ the Premier said.

The provincial government said current year performance r
eveals that the new techniques that were employed over the previous year, which included working closely with Chief Financial Officers and officials in the financial management sections are yielding the desired results.

‘In the previous year, the province managed to obtain seven unqualified audit outcomes, while five departments were qualified, prompting the provincial government to increase its support to these five departments. The expansion in audit coverage bears testimony to the province’s comprehensive financial oversight and accountability,’ the provincial government said.

Mokgosi said part of building a capable, ethical and developmental State is to see to it that government has sound financial management controls.

The Premier said the collaborative efforts of the Provincial Treasury, Provincial Audit Committee, the Auditor General of South Africa, dedicated members and chairpersons of portfolio committees and other robust governance structures continue to set the province on a positive development
al trajectory.

‘We made significant progress in addressing the root causes of the challenges that culminated into Section 100. These key stakeholders have been instrumental in implementing comprehensive reforms, enhancing financial management and strengthening oversight mechanisms,’ Mokgosi said.

Source : South African Government News Agency