According to MEC Gadija Brown, this is to promote and improve the state of financial governance and management at local government level. 

Tabling her department's R535 million budget for the 2020/21 financial year, Brown told members of the provincial legislature that the Municipal Finance Management Programme provides oversight, technical support and guidance to assist municipalities in managing their financial resources.

Her explanation on this allocation comes against a backdrop of heavy criticism from opposition parties over the state of municipalities in the province.

During the tabling of the Cogta budget on Wednesday, opposition members told the house that municipalities in the Free State are in dire straits due to incompetence and lack of accountability.

The DA, EFF and Freedom Front Plus all said more needs to be done to assist municipalities and that their escalating water boards and Eskom debts are proof of poor financial management.

Following a damning Auditor-General report which flagged lack of accountability in Free State municipalities - with none managing to obtain a clean audit - Brown said her department thinks this programme will be keeping a close eye on municipalities.

"The department has also hosted sessions with the AGSA and National Treasury where they present complex issues to the departments. We are confident that the 2019/20 audit outcomes will reflect further improvement".

OFM News