South Africa’s municipal finances are in a mess. This was confirmed by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) when he released the 2016-17 audit results for local government.

Of the 257 municipalities, only 33 (13%) received clean audits (in the previous financial year there were 48 clean audits), while irregular spending by municipalities has increased by 75% to R28.4-billion. This despite the fact, the AG said, that his office has been pointing out for several years that there are serious accountability fault-lines in local government.

Briefing Paper by CPLO