The Ministry of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) hosted the launch of their programme “Operation Clean Audit 2014” in Boksburg, Johannesburg on the morning of 16 July 2009.

At the launch, Minister Shiceka had bestowed Sedibeng District Municipality with the title of “Ambassador of Operation Clean Audit” and awarded the municipality a certificate in recognition of their unqualified audit opinion in 2007/2008. Ms Kajal Kowlessar had accepted the award on behalf of the municipality in absentia of the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Brendon Scholtz and the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Yunus Chamda.

In structuring the programmed project roll-out, COGTA had invited insight on best practice methods in compiling financial statements from a handful of government institutions that have developed a reputation for receiving clean audits. Sedibeng District Municipality was one of only three municipalities invited at local government level. It is the vision of COGTA that by 2014, all two hundred and eighty-three municipalities as well as all the nine provinces’ departments in South Africa achieve clean audits on their annual financial statements. Maintaining systems that sustain quality-assured financial statements and management information. As an Ambassador of the programme, Sedibeng District Municipality shall lend their knowledge and expertise on best audit practices to their less fortunate counterparts, through compiling and documenting their internal control and risk management processes.

Speakers at the launch included the Accountant-General Mr Freeman Nomvulo, the Auditor-General Mr Terence Nombembe, Chairman of SALGA Mr Amos Masondo, CEO of DBSA Paul Baloyi, Mr Anwar Dramat from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the Deputy Minister for Public Service & Administration Mr Padayachee. During his speech, the Minister of COGTA Mr Sicelo Shiceka emphasized that government institutions need to concentrate on managing their risks, managing their performance and ensuring continual legislative compliance in order to achieve the targets set out. Chairman of SCOPA Mr Themba Godi oversaw the signing of the pledge by the Ministries of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs, Public Service & Administration and National Treasury, as well as by the Offices of the Premiers of the nine provinces and SALGA representing local government.

Operation Clean Audit is to be rolled out nationwide and filtered down to local governments through the provincial governments’ portals. The programme aims to address all issues raised by the Auditor-General and reduce government’s vulnerability to risk within provincial departments and municipalities as highlighted in audit reports. This will be done through projects targeting issues central to the sustainability of sound financial management, accountability and best practices. It is COGTA’s goal to assist all municipalities and provincial departments to achieve clean audit opinions by 2014, improve and sustain the quality of financial statements. The milestones have been set as follows: