According to Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu, a lack of service delivery, irregular expenditure, and difficulty in generating revenue are among some of the key issues still plaguing municipalities across the country.

Addressing the Local Government Week virtual platform held by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Makwetu said municipalities in this province and across the country are in a vulnerable financial position.

This is largely because of a breakdown in their financial control and lack of accountability.

He reiterated that municipalities are in dire need of intervention, taking into account that only 20 of the country's 257 municipalities have been able to attain a clean audit.

Those in the Free State and North West failed to obtain any clean audits.

Whilst Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has already addressed the delegates on Tuesday, the Local Government Week programme will on Wednesday enter its second day with more keynote speakers expected to address issues faced by the local government.

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