Media Release: GRDM’s 5^th Clean Audit and its Impact on Residents and Visitors

9 February 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has proudly received its 5^th consecutive, Clean Audit, an achievement that reflects strong financial management, good governance, and accountability. While many may see the term “clean audit” and scroll past it in the news, it is important to understand how it impacts the entire region.

What exactly is a clean audit?

A clean audit, also known as an unqualified audit opinion with no findings, is the best possible audit outcome a municipality can receive from the Auditor-General of South Africa. It is globally recognised as a stamp of “trust” for an institution.

Clean Audits indicate that a municipality’s activities are done responsibly, honestly and that the municipality reports accurately on its performance, and that it does this within the relevant laws and regulations of the country.

A clean audit outcome is the best possible audit result, where financial statements are free from material misstatements and there are no material findings on, or non-compliance with, key legislation and performance reporting. It indicates that an organization’s financial records are transparent, credible, and compliant with relevant standards.

Why do we want to achieve a clean audit every year?

A Clean Audit is about trust. The public expects a municipality to be honest and transparent about its management of public funds.  It also means the municipality has systems and practices that work well and can be replicated by other institutions.

Having a clean audit doesn’t always mean the municipality is delivering all services perfectly, no municipality is perfect. According to the Auditor-General, ‘clean municipalities’ plan effectively for service delivery, with performance indicators aligned to their mandate and core functions. They consider the needs of approved informal settlements, have accessible complaints management systems, and address service issues promptly.

What does a clean audit mean for communities?

A clean audit is not merely an achievement for a municipality; it is a strong testament to effective governance and accountability to the community it serves. It builds confidence among stakeholders and creates an environment that encourages investment, as businesses and investors are more likely to support a town or city that consistently meets its commitments and demonstrates sound financial and management practices.

• Proper use of public funds: Money allocated for services such as roads, fire services, disaster management, and infrastructure are spent as planned and accounted for.
• Improved service delivery: Proper financial management helps a municipality to plan better and deliver services more effectively. If planning is not in place, a municipality risks running out of funds, leading to little or no delivery of services.
• Trust and accountability: Communities can have confidence that the Municipality is acting in their best interest and using taxpayer money responsibly. If people do not trust government, then why should they govern the people they are supposed to serve and help?
• Attracting investment and support: Clean audits make areas more attractive to investors and improve their chances of securing grants, funding and long-term relationships. No company would like to start a business in a town where the roads are full of potholes because it would drive up insurance claims; a town where water is not delivered to homes and businesses, some businesses operate with thousands of litres of water a day.
• Long-term sustainability: Good governance ensures that services can be maintained not only now, but also in the future.
• Foundation for service delivery: While not guaranteeing perfect service delivery, it ensures that financial mismanagement is unlikely to be the cause of service delays.

How the community can support a clean audit

Communities can play an important role in ensuring municipalities manage their finances and services responsibly. Here’s how residents can help:

1. Pay for services on time: Paying your rates, water, and other municipal services on time helps the municipality provide services properly. Without rates and taxes, a municipality will not be able to roll out projects or employ people to do the work.
2. Report issues and complaints: Residents should report faults, service disruptions, or misuse of resources so they can fix them quickly.
3. Participate in public meetings: Participate in ward meetings, budget consultations, and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) discussions to advocate for community needs and priorities. Municipalities strive to address the needs of their communities while ensuring the necessary maintenance and operations to keep services running effectively.
4. Hold officials accountable: Engage actively by asking questions, staying informed, and providing feedback on municipal projects and expenditures to promote transparency. ​ Freedom of expression in the media also plays a vital role in highlighting questionable actions and holding municipalities accountable.

Four municipalities within the Garden Route District achieved clean audit outcomes for the 2024/25 financial year, namely the Garden Route District Municipality, George, Hessequa, and Mossel Bay Local Municipalities.

Achieving a clean audit once again is commendable but receiving it for the fifth consecutive time shows consistency, strong leadership, and a culture of accountability within the Municipality.

The Garden Route District Municipality acknowledges the dedication of its officials, management, and Council in achieving this milestone. Most importantly, this achievement belongs to the communities in the district, as it reflects the Municipality’s commitment to serving residents with integrity and responsibility.

“We remain focused on building on this success to ensure continued service excellence and positive outcomes for all communities in the Garden Route District.”

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