South Africa’s Municipalities are on the Verge of Collapse
SummaryAuditor General finds Irregularities in spending by MunicipalitiesState should do more to improve the local levelExports are on the decreaseThe country’s Auditor General has recorded and identified mounting issues at the local government level.1 These affect 170 municipalities and public entities racking up to 268 cases of material irregularities in the 2021/2022 financial year.2 Material irregularities are instances of non-compliance or contravention of legislation or fraud, theft and any other breach of fiduciary duties that result in a material financial loss.3 The image portrayed by the Auditor General is one of compounding failure at a municipal level, with material irregularities piling up over the years.4 According to the AG, of the 268 cases recorded, 194 we...