Parliament, Tuesday, 22 July 2025 – In response to the concerning findings in the 2023/24 municipal audit outcomes, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) will this week pilot a new joint oversight model in the Free State to address persistent governance and financial underperformance in municipalities.
The committee will be joined by some members from Parliament’s standing committees on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Auditor-General. Led by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on COGTA, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the delegation will embark on a two-day oversight visit in collaboration with the Free State Legislature, the Office of the Premier and the provincial MEC for COGTA.
This intervention follows a sharp regression in municipal performance. The Auditor-General identified the Free State as one of the worst-performing provinces, with 16 municipalities with unfunded budgets, over R4.2 billion in unauthorised expenditure, repeated disclaimer audit opinions, and widespread failure to submit financial statements on time. The Mangaung Metro, for example, faces going concern risks and returned R194 million in unspent grants for the 2023/24 financial year. Other issues include poor consequence management, ineffective oversight structures, uninvestigated irregular expenditure, and a decline in the quality of basic services and infrastructure.
This joint oversight initiative aims to hold political and administrative leadership accountable, monitor the implementation of financial recovery plans and ensure consequences for persistent non-compliance.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe the proceedings.
DETAILS OF THE MEETINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Date: 24 and 25 July 2025
Time: from 09:00
Venue: Windmill Casino, Bloemfontein
Programme: Day 1 (24 JULY 2025)
TIME | AGENDA | PRESENTER |
09:00 – 09:10 | Opening and Welcome | Hon M Dukwana – Speaker: Free State Legislature |
09:10 – 09:25 | Background and objectives of the oversight programme | Hon Dr Z Mkhize – Chairperson of the PC on COGTA |
09:25 – 09:40 | Opening remarks and introduction of members | FS Chairperson of COGTA |
09:40 – 09:55 | Opening remarks and input on the state of municipalities | Free State Premier – Hon MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae |
09:55 – 10:05 | Opening remarks and input on the state of municipalities | Hon S Mokoena – MEC COGTA |
10:05 – 10:15 | Opening remarks and input on the state of municipalities | Hon M Makume |
10:15 – 11:00 | Engagement with Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality | Executive Mayor |
11:00 – 11:45 | Engagement with Xhariep District Municipality | Executive Mayor |
11:45 – 12:30 | Engagement with Letsemeng Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
12:30 – 13:15 | Engagement with Kopanong Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
13:15 – 13:30 | LUNCH | |
13:30 – 14:15 | Engagement with Mohakare Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
14:15 – 15:00 | Engagement with Lejweleputswa District Municipality | Executive Mayor |
15:00 – 15:45 | Engagement with Nala Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
15:45 – 16:30 | Engagement with Masilonyana Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
16::30 – 17:15 | Engagement with Tokologo Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
17:15 – 18:00 | Engagement with Tswelopele Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
18::00 – 18:45 | Engagement with Mathabeng Local Municipality | Executive Mayor |
18:45 – 19:30 | Summation of proceedings of Day 1 | Chairperson PC on Cogta – Hon Dr Mkhize |
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COGTA, DR ZWELE MKHIZE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour