By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
13 October 2026 – The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has secured its first ever clean audit award for the 2025/2026 financial year during the AGSA Award Ceremony in Rustenburg. The milestone was celebrated at the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) Clean Audit Awards ceremony, where the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, received the award on behalf of the department, marking a significant achievement in its pursuit of accountability, good governance and sound financial management.
The ceremony was attended by North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, Speaker of the North West Legislature, Viola Motsumi, North West MEC for Treasury, Kenetswe Mosenogi, North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, as well as Heads of Departments (HoDs) and other stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Mokgosi emphasised that compliance alone is not enough, noting that true excellence is achieved when institutions cultivate a culture of accountability, ethical leadership and good governance. He said the first clean audit is an important milestone and a foundation on which to build.
“The importance of positive audit outcomes demonstrates accountability, responsible financial management and effective internal controls within government institutions. When accountability, ethical leadership and good governance work together, organisations become stronger.
“Good audit outcomes can deliver better services and stimulate the economy by creating jobs, and contribute meaningfully in fighting poverty,” said Mokgosi.
Molapisi shared the same sentiments and welcomed the achievement. He expressed his hope that it would not be a once-off accomplishment, but the beginning of a sustained record of clean audits in the years to come for everyone to achieve especially municipalities.
Other clean audit recipients included the Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, North West Treasury, North West Gambling Board and the North West Provincial Legislature.
Picture: COGHSTA proves that a clean audit is achievable/Supplied
