Daily Archives: September 2, 2026

Mosenogi aim for credible financial reporting as municipalities submit Annual Financial Statements

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Picture: The North West MEC for Treasury, Kenetswe Mosenogi

By KEDIBONE MOALETSI

2 September 2026 – The North West MEC for Treasury, Kenetswe Mosenogi said her department marked the statutory submission of the 2025/26 Annual Financial Statements by all municipalities, shifting the province focus from year-end preparation to the credibility of financial reporting, audit responsiveness and corrective action. Mosenogi during the ceremonial handover of the Annual Financial Statements said the submission is a clear foundational value of accountability to the people of North West.

She further said they have gathered to ensure that municipalities fulfil this legal duty and submit their Annual Financial Statements to the Auditor General as prescribed in section 126 (1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) No. 56 of 2003. Mosenogi added that the  Annual Financial Statements provides a formal account of each municipality’s financial position and performance for the year ended 30 June 2026.

“They are submitted for independent audit and enable councils, communities and oversight institutions to assess how public resources were managed. The submission follows a province-wide readiness process involving all 22 municipalities. The process examined more than anticipated compliance with the 31 August deadline.

“It sought to establish outstanding work, major reporting risks, accountable officials, corrective actions and the support required by each municipality. The support of Provincial Treasury, COGTA and SALGA has been intensified to ensure that the provincial government continues to monitor, coordinate, advise and provide technical support,” she said.

Mosenogi said this support is important, but it does not transfer the statutory accountability of the municipality to a supporting institution. She said it is expected that after submission to the Auditor General, municipalities must support the audit process.

“Municipalities must maintain a clear audit-liaison process so that requests from the Auditor-General are logged, allocated to responsible officials and answered within the required timeframes. The objective of the provincial government is to ensure that municipalities can maintain sound records, operate effective controls and prepare credible financial statements as a normal function of administration.

“We must continuously encourage municipalities to build capacity within their Budget and Treasury Offices and substantially reduce their reliance on consultants. The encouraging stance taken by Ratlou Local Municipality and others of preparing the AFS using internal resources must be encouraged and supported,” said Mosenogi.

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SIU to investigate R150m road maintenance project  

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By REGINALD KANYANE

2 September 2026 – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said it is authorised to investigate a R150 million tender for maintaining 28km of road at the North West Department of Public Works and Roads. This comes after the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa, signed Proclamation 340 of 2026, which authorises the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, irregular expenditure, and unlawful or improper loss of public funds at the North West Department of Public Works and Roads and recover any losses suffered by the State or the department.

The SIU spokesperson, Selby Makgotho said the investigation will focus on the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services by or on behalf of the department in relation to Bid Number PWR 89/13: Special Maintenance of Road P152/1 from Setlagole to P34/4 in Delareyville, covering 58km (Phase II – 28km). Makgotho said according to the tender notice, the bid amount stood at R150 466 494,68.

“The SIU will investigate whether the procurement process, contracting and related payments were conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective, contrary to applicable legislation or inconsistent with manuals.

“This will include guidelines, practice notes, circulars or instructions issued by National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury, as well as the department’s own policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices,” he said.

Makgotho further said the investigation will further determine whether the contract was tainted by improper or unlawful conduct by officials, employees or agents of the department, service providers or any other person or entity, with the intention of corruptly or unduly benefiting themselves or another person or entity. He added that the SIU will also investigate allegations of fraud and any related unauthorised, irregular, or

fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the department or the state.

“The investigation will cover the period from 9 March 2021 to 28 August 2026, the date of publication of the Proclamation. In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996), the SIU is empowered to investigate the allegations, institute civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal or High Court and take appropriate steps to recover financial losses suffered by the state.

“The SIU Act further empowers the Unit to institute civil proceedings in its own name before the Special Tribunal or High Court to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation arising from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration,” said Makgotho.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua said: “We have received notice of the proclamation by Ramaphosa for the SIU to investigate its awarding of the project for the special maintenance of Road P152/1 from Setlagole and Road P34/4 in Delareyville.

“This awarding dates back to when the department was under Section 100 (1)(b) intervention of the Constitution, wherein constitutional powers were bestowed upon the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to fulfill the duties and obligations of the Accounting Officer for the Department.”

Mokua said as a result, she will engage the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure on the matter. She said, however, she commits the department’s full cooperation with the SIU during the course of the investigation as it has been doing since the enquiry started until the proclamation.

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Non-compliant forensic pathology and laboratory facility at Taung District Hospital a call for concern

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Picture: Taung District Hospital

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 September 2026 – The North West Department of Health is under fire after the closure of a forensic pathology and laboratory facility at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg allegedly over safety act breaches. The alleged municipal non-compliance, occupational health and safety violations, or design standard breaches, forced the department to conduct its forensic pathology duties at Taung District Hospital, which is also non-compliant.

According to our highly-placed source, the forensic pathology and laboratory facility at Taung District Hospital, violates health and safety procedures. The source told The Guardian Newspaper that the forensic pathology and laboratory facility is situated next to paediatric and maternity wards, which is hazardous.

“The smell coming out of the forensic pathology and laboratory facility is unbearable. The area does not meet required standards to operate as a forensic pathology and laboratory facility. Again, the hospital does not have a certificate to operate, so it is in violation.

“There is no hot water as required, there are ventilation failures, biohazard risks and non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This is clear that the building failed to comply with municipal bylaws and building standards. The hospital management is aware of the flagged occupational safety non-compliance, but disregard their plea.”

The source said they demand the suspension of operations at compromised forensic and science laboratory until mandatory health screenings and structural fixes are met.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane has provided the precise status and reason for non-compliance. Lekgethwane said the department is aware of the closure of a mortuary at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital.

“Yes, the facility was closed due to the other part of the building, which has to undergo renovations. The building is non-compliant due to renovations that are in the process. For now, the facility does not have a required certificate for compliance, but we are still in the process of acquiring it.

“The Environmental Health Practitioners are aware of this matter. The forensic pathology and laboratory facility at Taung District Hospital is partially compliant. However, it does not have a compliant certificate as we are awaiting recommended work to be completed that includes, but not limited to painting,” he said.

Lekgethwane further said the maternity and children’s wards are part of the hospital building and they are not attached to the mortuary. He added that there is hot water at the facility.  

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