Author: Herman Pieters
22 January 2026 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality achieves 5th consecutive Clean Audit
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality achieves 5th consecutive Clean Audit
22 January 2026
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to good governance and responsible financial management after receiving its fifth consecutive clean audit from the Auditor-General of South Africa for the 2024/2025 financial year. In a national environment where many municipalities continue to face governance and financial challenges, GRDM’s sustained clean audit record reinforces the Western Cape’s reputation for excellence in local government and positions the GRDM as a stable and trusted public institution.
With 5 Clean Audits under his leadership, Monde Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager, said: “This achievement reflects our collective strong leadership, sound internal controls, and a culture of accountability across the organisation”.
“This outcome did not happen by chance, and I commend our staff for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining high standards year after year,” he said.
Executive Mayor Marais Kruger welcomed the audit outcome and congratulated Council, management, and staff on the milestone. “Achieving our fifth consecutive clean audit is a powerful signal of trust to our communities, stakeholders, and partners. It shows that Garden Route District Municipality manages public funds responsibly and that we take our governance responsibilities seriously. This achievement is the result of teamwork, discipline, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for the people we serve.”
Chief Financial Officer Rian Boshoff acknowledged the role of financial discipline and internal controls in sustaining clean administration. “Maintaining a clean audit requires continuous monitoring, prudent spending, and accountability at every level. I would like to thank all the officials that were involved in the audit process, management, and all departments for their commitment to safeguarding public resources.”
The Municipality’s Internal Audit and Risk Management functions continue to play a key role in monitoring that recommendations from the Auditor-General are addressed proactively and that governance systems remain strong and effective.
Chief Audit Executive, Pamela Lufele, said: “A fifth consecutive clean audit outcome reflects a strong control environment, effective governance structures, and management’s commitment to legislative requirements. The cooperation between management, internal audit, and external audit in addressing prior-year audit findings and emerging risks further ensures overall success.”
This fifth consecutive clean audit reinforces GRDM’s standing as a reliable, accountable, and well-governed municipality, working in partnership with local municipalities and communities to build a resilient and prosperous Garden Route.
“GRDM will now be able to finalise its oversight process by tabling the final Annual Report to the Audit Committee, Municipal Public Accounts Committee and ultimately to council for final adoption,“ said the Strategic Manager in the Office of the Municipal Manager, Mr Thembani Loliwe.
ENDS
16 January 2026 Media Release: Fire and Drought inflict trauma on the Garden Route
Media Release: Fire and Drought inflict trauma on the Garden Route
16 January 2026
The Garden Route environment has once again been placed under immense strain as widespread wildfires, fuelled by prolonged drought and relentless winds raged across large parts of the region in recent weeks. Multiple fires between Mossel Bay and Gqeberha pushed communities to the brink, with only the dedication and expertise of highly trained firefighting teams preventing catastrophic loss of life and property.
“Only committed and well-equipped firefighting expertise saved the day,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF). “The scale and intensity of these fires underline just how vulnerable the region has become under current climatic conditions.”
Beyond the physical damage, the psychological toll on communities living under constant threat of fire is profound. This stress is compounded by the ongoing drought, with water restrictions firmly in place across the Garden Route and Knysna reportedly on the verge of running out of water. Fire and drought are intrinsically linked in this region, as painfully demonstrated during the 2017 Knysna disaster, when the town faced near-total water depletion while simultaneously dealing with the aftermath of South Africa’s most devastating fire event.
Although the recent fires were predicted months in advance due to extremely dry conditions and persistent winds, the ferocity and reach of the blazes left many residents shocked. With several dry months still ahead, the likelihood of further fire incidents remains high.
The financial cost of fighting multiple large-scale fires is staggering, while the physical and emotional strain placed on firefighters and disaster management personnel working around the clock cannot be quantified. The Garden Route’s firefighting and disaster management capacity is widely regarded as world-class, built on years of planning, training, and constant preparedness. These efforts deserve recognition and sincere appreciation.
Despite early warnings and repeated calls for landowners to implement fire breaks and clear Invasive Alien Plants to reduce fuel loads, many properties, particularly along the urban edge were ill-prepared for the fires that followed.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. Authorities are doing what they can with limited resources, but adaptation to this new normal requires a collective effort.
Residents are urged to heed early warnings, reduce risk proactively, and take responsibility for safeguarding their properties and communities.
The Garden Route Environmental Forum serves as a public platform for environmental managers and a climate change think tank.
Picture Caption: Aftermath of the wildfire that occurred early January 2026 in Mossel Bay: Source: Mossel Bay Municipality
ENDS
15 January 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality mourns the sudden passing of Diazine Pretorius
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality mourns the sudden passing of Diazine Pretorius
15 January 2025
It is with deep sadness that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) announces the passing of Diazine Pretorius, who passed away on 8 January 2026 due to natural causes.
Diazine (38), had been in the employment of the GRDM’s Roads Services since 16 January 2012, serving as a General Attendant in Van Wyksdorp. Her sudden passing has left colleagues and the community shocked and deeply saddened.
She was known among her colleagues as a hardworking person who genuinely cared for her fellow human beings. Diazine had a vibrant personality and rendered many years of dedicated service to the GRDM and the community she served. She is fondly remembered for her positive outlook on life and was dearly loved by both her colleagues and the broader community.
Diazine was married to Desmond Pretorius and is survived by three children (one son and two daughters).
The GRDM extends its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time.
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