POST COUNCIL - MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADM COUNCIL WELCOMES AG REPORT FOR 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR
ADM HEADQUARTERS – FRIDAY, 31 JANUARY 2025
Amathole District Municipality convened a Special Council Meeting on Friday, 31 January 2025, at the Calgary Conference Centre. Key in the agenda were reports brought forward by the Executive Mayor Cllr Anelle Ntsangani that were up for approval and noting. Among them was the presentation by the South African Auditor General on the institution’s audit opinion.
According to the AG there has been a culture shift from the officials within the institution that has led to a vast improvement in the audit opinion from disclaimer to qualified opinion.
The latest Auditor-General (AG) report has acknowledged the significant strides and culture shift made by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in improving its audit outcomes which has led to a vast improvement in the audit opinion from disclaimer to qualified opinion.
After six consecutive years of receiving a disclaimer and non-submission of financial statements, according to AG, the district has demonstrated notable progress, particularly over the past two years by moving from a disclaimer to a qualified audit opinion.
The Auditor-General's report highlighted the municipality's commitment to strengthening financial accountability and governance. While the achievement reflects the hard work of the municipal leadership and administration, AG further urged council structures to ensure oversight in addressing historical financial management challenges.
Commending the improvement, Executive Mayor Anele Ntsangani said.
“The qualified opinion should be a place that resembles a cold room for us. We must not get comfortable but work hard to exit to a clean audit" – he said.
Reiterating the municipality’s determination to build on this momentum, Cllr Ntsangani, presenting his reports, introduced the draft audit report action plan to outline the steps the institution will take to address findings and recommendations from an audit report. Other reports presented were the mid-term performance report, the Section 52(d) report, and other items for council’s consideration.
Office Accommodation
Among the matters tabled was the municipality’s office accommodation needs, which Cllr Ntsangani confirmed that while ADM is in the process of building its permanent offices in Qumrha, plans are in place to extend the current office accommodation contract to meet immediate needs as per recommendation by management.
"The design phase for our permanent offices is progressing well, and in the meantime, we are working on solutions to extend our current office accommodation to ensure operational efficiency"- he stated.
Local Economic Development
Another key item for approval focused on research into wool processing in the district, specifically a feasibility study for a development program aimed at improving the income and livelihoods
of communal wool growers.
Council approved the proposal, with the Executive Mayor emphasizing its importance:
"Our district is an agricultural district, and this initiative will improve livelihoods through economic development. Job creation and business opportunities from this sector will also positively impact our revenue collection"- he said.
Infrastructure Vandalism
With vandalism as one of the challenges that contribute to the municipality’s spending, Cllr Ntsangani emphasised the need for a multi-pronged approach to enhance security around municipal infrastructure and put forward consideration of cameras to augment the current security.
End.
For media queries contact ADM acting Spokesperson Sisa Msiwa on 0798894921 | WhatsApp 0712158257 | Email
Issued by ADM Communications and Customer Care
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