It is with great excitement that we share with you that the Auditor General of South Africa announced late last night, 30 November 2023, that the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) achieved its third (3rd) consecutive Clean Audit.
“Congratulations to all employees who worked tirelessly in the background to help us to achieve another huge milestone, this time around for the 2022/23 financial year,” said Monde Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager.
The GRDM is committed to its culture of good governance, accountability, and sound financial management. The institution will keep the bar raised to the standard it has set out to.
Garden Route DM Municipal Health Services achieve a stellar 96.7% Compliance Rate
For Immediate release
18 July 2023
The Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness conducted an audit of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Health Services in February 2023. It was recently made public that the GRDM achieved a 96.7% compliance rate.
The following municipal health-related KPIs and administration processes were audited: Client rights, operational management, facility and infrastructure, leadership and corporate governance, operational – vector control, environment pollution control, waste management, water quality monitoring, law enforcement, health surveillance of premises, etc.
The primary aims of Municipal Health Services are to promote health and to ensure a healthy environment for the community.
According to the Audit report summary, non-compliance was observed only in two areas: human resources and vector control. With a compliance rate of 96.7%, it is evident that the Community Services Department of GRDM are making substantial progress towards the goals outlined in the GRDM Integrated Development Plan (popularly known as an IDP), indicating a positive direction.
Feature image: An image depicting some of the functions of Municipal Health at the Garden Route District Municipality
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING
Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Departement van Gesondheid en Welstand het in Februarie 2023 ‘n oudit van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) Gesondheidsdienste uitgevoer. Dit is onlangs bekend gemaak dat die GRDM ‘n 96,7% voldoeningskoers behaal het.
Volgens die ouditverslagopsomming is twee areas wat ge-oudit is wat opgeskerp moet word: menslike hulpbronne en vektorbeheer. Met ‘n voldoeningskoers van 96.7%, is dit duidelik dat die Gemeenskapsdienstedepartement van GRDM aansienlike vordering maak in die rigting van die doelwitte soos uiteengesit in die GRDM Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan (algemeen bekend as ‘n GOP), wat ‘n positiewe rigting aandui.
Garden Route District Municipality’s Electronic Records Audit, well received
For immediate release 13 July 2023
The Western Cape Archives and Records Services (WCARS) conducted an Electronic Records Audit at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on Tuesday 4 July 2023. As part of the process, an Electronic Records Management Survey was provided to complete, prior to the Audit in order to determine if the GRDM complies with the law.
After completion of the audit process, the WCARS recommended that a Records Control Schedule and the Registry Procedure Manual become part of the Electronic System. This means that the retention periods of records should also be incorporated into the electronic system. They also needed clarity regarding the metadata that is electronically backed up, as well as the Electronic Records Disaster Management Plan.
Government bodies have increased the use of electronic systems to conduct their business significantly which changed the manner of how records are created and being stored. Electronic recordkeeping poses particular challenges to governmental bodies and the National Archives and Records Services, both which need to ensure that trustworthy records are being maintained over time as evidence of official business for Accountability, Operational Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Institutional and Social Memory. With paper-based records a well-structured file plan is maintained, and the records are physically protected, the evidence they contain remains accessible and readable over time. Due to rapid changes in technology the same cannot be said of electronic records.
The WCARS was pleased with the outcomes of the GRDM Audit and furthermore expressed their satisfaction with GRDM’s electronic system that was in place and operational. After also visiting the GRDM Registry Office, the team were furthermore impressed by the layout of the office and how daily operations are managed.
Feature Image: Yolandi Dyantyi (Supervisor) and Gideon Joubert, Senior Registry Clerk/Fleet (right), proud officials of the Records & Archives section at Garden Route District Municipality, who assisted the Western Cape Archives and Records Services (WCARS) team during the Electronic Records Audit.
Second Consecutive Clean Audit for Garden Route District Municipality
For Immediate Release 6 June 2023
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently garnered a remarkable achievement, earning recognition from the Western Cape Government (WCG) for securing its second consecutive Clean Audit. This recognition was again highlighted after an announcement was made last year by the Auditor General (AG). This time during a Western Cape Ministerial and Mayoral Forum held in Saldanha where the Auditor General.
The GRDM is one of 21 Western Cape Municipalities out of 38 across the country that obtained a clean audit. There are 257 municipalities in South Africa, which means 14,79% of municipalities in South Africa managed to obtain a Clean Audit.
A Clean Audit signifies the meticulous financial management and accountability demonstrated by a municipality. It serves as a testament to the effective utilisation of public funds, ensuring transparency, and the absence of any irregularities or misappropriation. By achieving a Clean Audit for two consecutive years, GRDM exemplifies its commitment to sound financial practices, thereby fostering trust and confidence among its constituents.
The GRDM’s success not only enhances its standing within the region but also serves as an inspiration for others to emulate similar standards of excellence.
The municipalities of the Western Cape, 21 of 38 in the country, who obtained Clean Audits.
Feature image caption: Monde Stratu (GRDM Municipal Manager and head of the GRDM administration) presenting the Clean Audit Trophee. To his right is GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, who officially received the Clean Audit award in Saldanha.
Die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) het onlangs ‘n merkwaardige prestasie behaal en het erkenning van die Wes-Kaapse Regering (WKR) gekry vir die verkryging van sy tweede agtereenvolgende Skoon Oudit. Hierdie erkenning is weer aan GRDM verleen nadat dit laas Desember bekend gemaak is. Hierdie keer was GRDM herken tydens ‘n Minister en Burgemeestersforum wat in Saldanha gehou is.
Die GRDM is een van 21 Wes-Kaapse munisipaliteite uit 38 regoor die land wat ’n skoon oudit gekry het. Daar is 257 munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika, wat beteken 14,79% van munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika het daarin geslaag om ‘n Skoon Oudit te verkry.
‘n Skoon Oudit dui op die noukeurige finansiële bestuur en aanspreeklikheid wat deur ‘n munisipaliteit getoon word. Dit dien as ‘n bewys van die doeltreffende aanwending van openbare fondse, wat deursigtigheid verseker, en die afwesigheid van enige onreëlmatighede of wanbesteding. Deur ‘n Skoon Oudit vir twee opeenvolgende jare te behaal, toon GRDM sy verbintenis tot gesonde finansiële praktyke, waardeur vertroue en vertroue onder sy kiesers bevorder word.
Die GRDM se sukses verbeter nie net sy aansien in die streek nie, maar dien ook as ‘n inspirasie vir ander om soortgelyke standaarde van uitnemendheid na te volg.
Media Release: Another clean audit for Garden Route DM – a promise kept!
For Immediate Release 2 December 2022
As promised, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has maintained its clean audit outcome. The culture of good governance and accountability remains unmatched when comparing the GRDM to some of the 44 district municipalities in South Africa.
The fiscal discipline, rigid financial planning, and continuous oversight, combined with hundreds of internal controls added to the institution’s achievement. Clean audits and improvements by municipalities reflect the tone set by municipal managers and institutions.
Monde Stratu, GRDM Municipal Manager proudly boasted about the achievement. “We’ve consistently worked on instilling a culture of being accountable and improving controls to sustain the Clean Audit Outcome.”
“I am also very proud of everyone who worked in the background to help us achieve such a wonderful milestone, it was a team effort,” said Stratu.
Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen
Deputy Executive Mayor, Alderman Gert van Niekerk
The Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Memory Booysen, expressed his gratitude to the entire municipality, in particular, the Municipal Manager and Financial Services Department. It is an honour for us to be part of the Western Cape, a province that sets the highest standard of financial management in South Africa.” According to the Auditor General’s report to Parliament on 23 November, the Western Cape continues to be the province with the highest number of clean audit outcomes.
Municipal Manager, Monde Stratu.
Chief Financial Officer, Jan-Willem De Jager.
When presenting the Audit Outcome to a Combined Municipal Public Accounts Committee and Audit Committee of GRDM, Ashiq Allie, the Manager AGSA for the GRDM audit, congratulated the institution for achieving a clean audit outcome for the financial year under review. The Final Audit Report was submitted to the Municipality on 30 November 2022. He also commented that he knows it takes a lot of work on the ground to maintain a clean audit and that it is a combination of hard work by management and taking the AG’s findings seriously over the years.
MPAC Chairperson Cllr Danie Acker expressed gratitude to employees and Council for their commitment to a clean audit report. He further elaborated on the fact that the audit outcome is proof that coalition governments can work because they keep things together. “I am extremely proud and honoured about this achievement.”
MPAC Chairperson, Danie Ackier (left), APAC Chairperson, Alewijn Dippenaar (right) and Cllr John-Patrick Buys (member of MPAC).
AGSA Manager for the GRDM Audit, Ashiq Allie.
ENDS
Notes by the editor:
Municipal managers are responsible for preparing and fairly representing their institution’s financial statements in accordance with the Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) and the requirements of the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003. The Auditor General conducts an audit in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).
Media Release: Garden Route DM celebrates Clean Audit and commits to retain it
For Immediate Release
6 December 2021
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is pleased to announce that it has achieved a clean audit outcome for the 2020/2021 financial year. A clean audit is an unqualified audit opinion, with no findings, issued by the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) during their audit on financial statements, annual performance report and compliance to legislation.
This outstanding achievement confirms that the GRDM spent the public funds according to the applicable laws, regulations and policies.
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Nine (9) months ago, GRDM reported that it had missed a clean audit because of one finding. However, the municipality gradually addressed all the issues that the AGSA raised in the past while ensuring its financial management ethos at all levels of the organisation were enhanced. “We have instilled a culture of sound financial management, prudent financial choices, efficiency and accountability,” said Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager. “We will do our very best to retain a clean audit for years to come and not to drop our standards,” he said.
Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor.
Monde Stratu, Municipal Manager.
Re-elected GRDM Executive Mayor Alderman Memory Booysen says that although South Africa faces a challenging economic situation, those in the Garden Route and investors can be assured that the Municipality remains committed to good governance.
“We will continue to spend public money to the best of our ability.”
Booysen hopes that this achievement will inspire other municipalities in the Garden Route to do better and improve governance. Mayor Booysen also made particular reference to Dr Adele Potgieter, Independent Member and Chairperson of the Audit and Performance Audit Committee (APAC) and her team for the oversight they provided on the Municipality’s financial reporting process. Other members of APAC at GRDM include Advocate Derick Block, Geoff Stenekamp and Suren Maharaj.
Also, Ald. Booysen extended his appreciation to Cllr Clodia Lichaba, Chairperson: Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) and her fellow Councillors who exercised oversight over the executive functionaries of the council to ensure good governance in the institution.
Dr Adele Potgieter, Chairperson of APAC.
Cllr Clodia Lichaba, Chairperson of MPAC.
Jan-Willem De Jager, Chief Financial Officer and Thembani Loliwe, Strategic Manager, also played a pivotal role in ensuring that the GRDM achieved a clean audit status. They worked hand in hand to ensure the municipality’s Operational Clean Audit Report (OPCAR) was implemented in response to the AGSA Management Reports from the previous financial years. “Various controls had to be put in place to ensure that the AG did not find similar issues as last year,” said Loliwe. “To mention just one example of control improvement, during the 2017/18 financial year, procurement through the supply chain deviation process was valued at more than R23 000 000 and in 2020/21 financial year that amount has reduced to less than R2 000 000, which is a result of thorough control interventions” added Loliwe.
“During their audit, the AGSA focused on bulk infrastructure, supply chain management, and financial statements.”
De Jager specifically referenced the strides the GRDM made with procurement. “This year, we had no findings on procurement.”
Jan-Willem De Jager, Chief Financial Officer
Thembani Loliwe, Strategic Manager
The CFO has also shared his thank yous to officials who engaged with the AG because it was done in a respectful manner. The AGSA has been victimised for years in other parts of the country, where they often receive death threats, get offered bribes and are victims of intimidation.
GRDM remains committed to ensuring that it has all preventative controls in place and good governance, as organisational culture, continues for years to come. The audit outcome is, therefore, is a result of a concerted effort by all officials to ensure that good governance and sound financial management remain at the heart of what we do at the Municipality,” said Monde Stratu.
