Monday, 24 April 2023
MPAC TABLES THE OVERSIGHT REPORT ON ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021
On Friday, 21 April 2023, the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) led by Chairperson Cllr Mateboho Mosiako continued with their program of action by tabling the overall oversight report of the 2020/2021 annual report. The report was presented at a council meeting in Council Chamber and it was attended by top management, troika, councilors, and the public.
The oversight report is the final major step in the annual reporting process of a municipality. Section 129 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003 requires the council to consider the annual report of its municipality and to adopt an oversight report containing the council’s comments on the annual report.
In her speech, Cllr Mosiako outlined the MPAC’s mandate, which is to report on the municipality’s finances and performance for the fiscal year 2020–2021. This oversight report also includes MPAC findings, opinions from the general public, and council recommendations for the process of approving the 2020–2021 annual report. Due to load shedding and late submissions from other departments made it was difficult for the MPAC committee to complete the oversight report’s recommendations and findings on schedule.
In the process of the build-up of the oversight report, the 2021/22 Annual Report was tabled before Council on the 31st of January 2023 by the Executive Mayor and subsequently referred to the MPAC for oversight processes. The chairperson used various media platforms to inform the public about the availability of annual reports and also to encourage them to play a role by submitting their comments. The committee together with the office of the Speaker also facilitated a public participation meeting on the 9th of March 2023, held at Klerksdorp Auditorium hall, where the committee made findings and recommendations during the oversight report which the municipality must address and are outlined on page 8 to 24 of the 2021/22 oversight report.
According to the findings, one of the most pressing problems is the municipality’s debt to Midvaal and Eskom, which resulted in a significant amount of interest. The chairperson asked the council and administration to prioritize and address a strategic focus and operational commitment. The MPAC noted, with great appreciation, that the municipality has done well to obtain an Unqualified Audit Opinion on the Financial Statements. The Oversight report for 2021/22 was approved with reservations.
A collective effort will ensure that we achieve the necessary oversight impact on behalf of the council and the community it serves. Cllr Mosiako concluded by thanking the committee and her staff for their commitment and requesting that there should be a collective effort regardless of political affiliations and these commitments should be in the best interest of the community on service delivery matters.
Issued by: Communication and Marketing City of Matlosana
