Rodgers redirects R17 million in savings to strengthen fight against municipal corruption

KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has redirected R17 million in savings from his office to bolster efforts aimed at combating corruption, improving financial governance and strengthening oversight in municipalities across the province. The bulk of the allocation will see R6.5 million channelled to the Provincial Supply Chain Management (SCM) unit within the KZN Treasury to enhance support for municipalities struggling with financial management and compliance. A further R6 million has been allocated to the Provincial Accountant-General’s office to support its work with the Department of Education, while the remaining R4.5 million will fund the implementation of the Provincial Financial Recovery Plan.

The intervention comes amid growing concern over escalating levels of Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE) in municipalities. The trend, Rodgers said, was compounding the government’s financial pressures. “The continued rise in irregular and wasteful expenditure is unacceptable and undermines service delivery.

“Through these targeted interventions, we are strengthening oversight, closing governance gaps, and ensuring that municipalities comply fully with the MFMA,” he said. The interventions include those aimed at developing and implementing UIFWE reduction strategies, strengthening supply chain management governance and compliance, improving contract management, and building the technical capacity of municipal officials. Eight municipalities will benefit from the provincial support programme, while eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities were excluded on the grounds that they receive assistance directly from the National Treasury. The municipalities identified for support are uMkhanyakude District Municipality, uThukela District Municipality, uMzinyathi District Municipality, Newcastle Local Municipality, Mtubatuba Local Municipality, AbaQulusi Local Municipality, Mpofana Local Municipality and Zululand District Municipality.