The conference set to take place in the Xhariep District Municipality is expected to see municipal officials, Premier Sisi Ntombela, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thembeni Nxangisa, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as well as Salga President, Thembi Nkadimeng, coming together to discuss challenges faced by municipalities in the Karoo, as well as those in the Free State province.

The conference comes amidst growing concerns over the financial state of municipalities in the country. According to the latest local government audit report by Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu, only 18 out of 257 municipalities achieved a clean audit, with 12 of these municipalities being in the Western Cape.

Makwetu, in his report, painted a bleak picture of municipalities whose accountability for financial and performance management continues to deteriorate. The Salga conference, in partnership with the cash-strapped Xhariep Municipality, is expected to see delegates deliberate on these issues, amongst many others faced by municipalities.

OFM News