Auditor General praises KZN

2009-11-05 22:27

Pietermaritzburg - Auditor General Terence Nombembe on Thursday praised KwaZulu-Natal for major improvements in managing public funds, but raised concerns about the province's failure to manage assets properly.

"We are pleased to report that only one department in the province had an adverse report. We really welcome that. However, the issue of poor recording of assets is tarnishing the good image."

Addressing members of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, Nombembe commended the province on its effective management of service delivery programmes.

He said the national average of shortcomings in the effective management of service delivery programmes was 40%. In some provinces it was as high as 70%.

However, in KwaZulu-Natal, it come as a "pleasant surprise" that this had been kept at around 30%.

Effective management

"Departments in KZN have effective ways of managing. It is pleasing that the departments are writing meaningful reports and their information is reliable."

The Royal Household was the only department that received an adverse report. The sports department received a clean report.

Nombembe was concerned that some government entities had received qualifications because they submitted their financial statements after the legislated deadline.

Premier Zweli Mkhize said he was excited about the improvements, saying the province committed to working closely with Nombembe's office.

Sihle Zikalala, the ANC secretary in KwaZulu-Natal said Nombembe's praises showed finances were in good hands.

"Ever since the ANC came into power in the province in 2004 the province's finances have been turned around significantly. We are also pleased that all our departments received clean audits expect for one, the Royal Household."

- SAPA