The Gauteng provincial government on Wednesday launched watchdog committees in a bid to ensure accountability from municipalities.
The municipal public accounts committees (MPACs), the equivalent of Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts, will examine the financial statements of municipalities and their entities.
Speaking at the launch in Boksburg, provincial minister of local government Qedani Mahlangu said it is important for the new committees to work closely with the Auditor General’s office to ensure greater accountability and learning from each other.
She promised that her department together with other entities involved will ensure that members of MPACs are given full support in executing their duties.
”These are very important committees which will ensure greater accountability and play an active political oversight role as far as municipal finances are concerned,” said Mahlangu.
”Municipal public accounts committees will deal with issues raised by the Auditor General. They should not undermine political directives, government practices on corruption and good governance.
”We should not use them as witch-hunt but as watchdog for council and municipality so that council must spent public funds correctly.”
She said prudent financial management and good governance are the main ingredients of ensuring that municipalities in Gauteng achieve clean audit reports from the Auditor General by 2009. — Sapa