02/06/2026
*Western Cape leads South Africa in audit outcomes while some remain fraught by unstable municipal governance*
by Dave Bryant, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Date: 02 June 2026
Release: Immediate
Attention broadcasters: Please find attached English Soundbite by Dave Bryant, MPP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape welcomes the 2024/25 local government audit outcomes, which once again demonstrate that the Western Cape remains South Africa's best-performing province in local governance and financial management.
An impressive 70% of municipalities in the province achieved clean audits, significantly outperforming every other province. Municipalities such as Cederberg and Oudtshoorn improved from unqualified audits with findings to clean audits, while Beaufort West improved from qualified with findings to unqualified with findings. These improvements reflect the positive impact of oversight, support, and interventions provided by the DA-led Western Cape Government.
However, the audit outcomes also reveal serious concerns.
In a briefing to the Standing Committee on Local Government in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) highlighted significant governance and service delivery failures in Knysna. Despite receiving an unqualified audit opinion with findings, the municipality achieved only 67% of its planned performance targets while spending 98% of its budget in the 2024/25 financial year. Water losses increased from 34% to 48% in a single year, repairs and maintenance remained far below acceptable levels, and AGSA identified a material irregularity relating to environmental harm caused by municipal infrastructure failures.
Kannaland received another disclaimer audit opinion, the worst possible audit outcome. AGSA found that the municipality failed to maintain proper records, lacks a functioning audit committee, and took inadequate action to address material irregularities. The municipality remains under a Financial Recovery Plan aimed at restoring stability and improving governance. These findings are consistent with years of instability under the ANC-led coalition government, where only 58% of key service delivery targets were achieved despite spending 100% of the municipal budget and incurring R55.9 million in irregular expenditure during the 2024/25 financial year.
Dave Bryant, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, said: "While most municipalities in the Western Cape continue to obtain clean audit outcomes, there remain some concerning exceptions. The Auditor-General's findings confirm the urgent need for improved governance, stronger financial controls, and better service delivery in both municipalities. Residents deserve municipalities that can manage public finances responsibly, maintain infrastructure, and deliver services effectively."
The DA welcomes the continued support being provided by the DA-led Western Cape Government and will continue to exercise robust oversight to ensure that audit findings are addressed, recovery measures are implemented, and residents receive the quality services they deserve.
Media Enquiries
Dave Bryant, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
071 855 9554
[email protected]
Zackeen Thomas
Media & Research Officer - DA WCPP
072 086 4390
[email protected]
