Rustenburg – On 31 August, the North West Provincial Treasury marked the statutory submission of the 2025/26 Annual Financial Statements (AFS) by all municipalities, shifting the province focus from year-end preparation to the credibility of financial reporting, audit responsiveness and corrective action.
MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi during the ceremonial handover of the annual financial statements stated that the submission is a clear foundational value of accountability to the people of North West Province. “We have gathered to ensure that municipalities fulfil this legal duty and submit their Annual Financial Statements to the Auditor General as prescribed in section 126 (1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) No. 56 of 2003, Mosenogi said”.
The MEC explained that the AFS’s provide a formal account of each municipality’s financial position and performance for the year ended 30 June 2026. She said they are submitted for independent audit and enable councils, communities and oversight institutions to assess how public resources were managed. “The submission follows a province-wide readiness process involving all 22 municipalities. The process examined more than anticipated compliance with the 31 August deadline. It sought to establish outstanding work, major reporting risks, accountable officials, corrective actions and the support required by each municipality, she added”.
She further expressed that the support of Provincial Treasury, COGTA and SALGA has been intensified to ensure that the provincial government continues to monitor, coordinate, advise and provide technical support. This support is important, but it does not transfer the statutory accountability of the municipality to a supporting institution.
“It is expected that after submission to the Auditor General, municipalities must support the audit process. Municipalities must maintain a clear audit-liaison processes so that requests from the Auditor-General are logged, allocated to responsible officials and answered within the required timeframes, echoed Mosenogi”.
Concluding her remarks, the MEC said the objective of the provincial government is to ensure that municipalities can maintain sound records, operate effective controls and prepare credible financial statements as a normal function of administration. “We must continuously encourage municipalities to build capacity within their Budget and Treasury Offices and substantially reduce their reliance on consultants. She said the encouraging stance taken by Ratlou Local Municipality and others of preparing the AFS using internal resources must be encouraged and supported.
-End-
Issued by North West Provincial Treasury: For more information contact: Media Liaison Officer: Lesedi Makhubela: 062 103 2798 Director Information Management Ms. Kesalopa Gill 018-388 3584/ 3239/231