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Congress of the People (COPE) condemns the mediocrity exposed by the report of the Auditor-General Terence Nombembe that only five percent of municipalities obtained clean audit reports in the financial year 2011/2012.

We are shocked by the Auditor-General’s revelations today that about 45 percent of the municipalities obtained unqualified audit reports but with concerns.

The South African Constitution states in Section 195; that “public administration must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, including the following principles: (A) a high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained; (B) Efficient, economic and effective use of resources must be promoted; (C) Public administration must be development-oriented; (D) Services must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias.”

We also echo Auditor-General Terence Nombembe sentiments that municipalities need to strengthen their leadership structures.

This disturbing, mediocrity trend of having few municipalities
obtaining clean audits must never be celebrated as it continues to raise critical questions about skills and leadership capacity.

But not all is doom and gloom. COPE is confident transparency and competency should be key drivers in efforts to ensuring that more clean audits are obtained especially in troubled municipalities.

COPE believes issues around financial mismanagement and corruption in our municipalities must be stamped out.