Oversight, Accountability, and Consequence Management workshop

Posted: 10 June 2025

In pursuit of strengthening oversight, accountability, and consequence management within the local government sphere, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) held a workshop from the 4th to the 5th of June 2025.

The effectiveness of internal governance within municipalities is fundamentally influenced by the strength of their committee systems and oversight mechanisms. When embraced by leadership, accountability and oversight serve as critical pillars of good governance, ultimately enhancing institutional performance, operational efficiency, and the quality-of-service delivery.

The workshop addressed the following key thematic areas:

• The roles and responsibilities of internal structures and functionaries, including Political Office Bearers (POBs) and council committees;
• Ethical leadership, with a focus on adherence to the Code of Conduct for Councillors;
• The Accountability and Consequence Management Framework;
• Mechanisms for combating fraud and corruption;
• Strategies for the reduction of Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless, and Wasteful (UIFW) expenditure;
• The implementation of a collaborative governance model;
• Review of the Standing Rules and Orders; and
• Revenue enhancement strategies.

"In a well-functioning municipal structure, Council holds the Executive accountable through regular reporting, interrogation of performance outcomes, and policy guidance. This oversight function by the Council is vital to maintaining a balance of power, ensuring the Executive does not operate unchecked", said Cllr. Walter Mngomezulu as he addressed the attendees.

Ms. Bhobho, Business Executive from the Auditor-General of South Africa, presented on Shifting the culture towards performance, accountability, transparency, and institutional integrity in local government. Ms. Bhobho further asked municipalities, "How are we going to make our municipalities financially viable so that we can further attract investors?"

From SALGA, various presentations from the following topics were discussed:

• Roles and responsibilities of internal structures and functionaries, including Political Office Bearers (POBs) and Council Committees;
• Ethical leadership, with a focus on adherence to the Code of Conduct for Councillors;
• Revenue Enhancement Strategies and Awareness
• The relationship between Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Internal Audit, Risk Management and Audit Committee;
• Mechanisms for combating fraud and corruption;
• The Accountability and Consequence Management Framework;
• Development of a collaborative governance model; and
• Review of the Standing Rules and Orders.

Oversight, accountability, and consequence management are critical pillars for ensuring good governance and effective service delivery in municipalities.

The Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, as well as Provincial Treasury further presented on:

• The Impact of not implementing financial turnaround strategies;
• Unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure status in the province and the Reduction Strategy;
• Audit action plans;
• Causes of irregular expenditures.

The workshop closed with a best practice from Vhembe District Municipality, which was presented by Cllr. TS Pandelani spoke on Discharging Oversight, Annual Work Plan, and Public Participation Programmes.