This follows explosive claims implicating senior AGSA officials in the Free State, including regional head Nthako Saohatsi, in alleged efforts to provide Centlec with favourable audit outcomes despite operational and financial failings.

According to reports and whistleblower accusations, some auditors within the AGSA’s Free State office allegedly ignored red flags and manipulated findings to shield Centlec from scrutiny.

Deep-rooted conspiracy alleged

ActionSA Free State chairperson Patricia Kopane was among those raising concerns. She said the whistleblower testimony points to a deep-rooted conspiracy between senior officials from Centlec and the AG’s Free State office, adding that the claims also include nepotism and political favouritism.

She also alleged that relatives of senior officials and cronies of the CEO were given positions in exchange for help in eliminating whistleblowers and critical staff.

Africa Boso, senior media liaison at AGSA, said the allegations first surfaced on social media last year and prompted an internal investigation.

“Since then, AGSA investigated them to verify their veracity,” Boso said, noting that the inquiry involved internal quality reviews and engagements with both the entity’s management and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s leadership.

“As part of our standing processes, our findings were reported in the audit reports of Centlec and shared with its management and tabled in the municipal council.

An unqualified audit opinion indicates that a municipality’s financial statements are free from material misstatements (errors or omissions) and can be trusted.#AGReport #MFMAGeneralReport #LocalGovernmentAuditOutcomes pic.twitter.com/KULU1Y0zvD

— Auditor-General South Africa (@AuditorGen_SA) May 28, 2025

“The AGSA rejects the allegations of collusion between our team and Centlec employees. The AGSA reviewed the entity’s audits and concluded there was no basis for the allegations, as all findings were reported consistently,” she explained.

Boso emphasised that Centlec has received unqualified-with-findings audit opinions for the past five financial years, reflecting repeated compliance issues rather than a clean bill of health.

“There is no evidence that any of the irregularities were ignored, as they were reported in the management and audit reports of the entity,” she added.

Patricia Kopane. Photo: Facebook

“The AGSA audits are subject to stringent internal and external processes to ensure that they adhere to ethical and auditing standards. They also undergo strict independent quality reviews by independent industry regulators such as the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors.”

She further stressed that international auditing standards are followed strictly, noting that no single person can conclude an audit alone, as there are several stringent internal and external review mechanisms that all our auditors must adhere to. She said auditors adopt a professional and ethical approach whenever they do audits.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg