Rustenburg: The North West Provincial Treasury has concluded a two-day forum for Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) and Chief Risk Officers (CROs) to strengthen municipal risk management, internal audit and integrated assurance.
The Forum held on 4 and 5 September brought together representatives of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), National Treasury, municipalities, Audit Committees, and municipal Internal Audit and Risk Management units. Discussions focused on embedding risk management across municipal planning and operations, so that risk information informs resource allocation, service delivery priorities, corrective action and Council oversight.
Delegates prioritised four areas: strengthening municipal risk management, integrating risk into risk-based internal audit planning, advancing Combined Assurance, and supporting municipalities’ implementation of the Global Internal Audit Standards.
Amanda Mkiwane, an official in the Office of the Accountant-General at National Treasury, said risk management must move from a reporting exercise to an active management tool. Mkiwane said a risk register only added value when it drove action, and that municipalities needed to identify risks early, assign clear accountability and act before risks became financial, operational or service delivery failures.
The Forum called for stronger risk oversight, effective internal controls, supply chain compliance, improved consequence management, and suitably skilled officials in key governance positions. It further stressed the need for clear risk reporting to support sound management and Council oversight.
Andre Nel, Chief Audit Executive, North West Provincial Treasury, highlighted the complementary roles of Risk Management, Internal Audit and Audit Committees in strengthening municipal governance. Nel said these functions carried different responsibilities but had to work in a coordinated manner, adding that effective collaboration closed assurance gaps, strengthened accountability and supported better governance and audit outcomes.
The Forum also emphasised the importance of functional Risk Management and Audit Committees, and stronger Combined Assurance, to reduce duplication, address assurance gaps and give management and Council a consolidated view of key municipal risks and controls. Discussions on the Global Internal Audit Standards underlined the need for professional, independent and risk-based internal audit functions that provide credible assurance and add value to municipal operations.
The North West Provincial Treasury reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance, financial sustainability and institutional resilience. It called on municipalities to move beyond compliance towards proactive risk management, effective assurance and clear accountability that ultimately improves service delivery.
“A risk register is only valuable when it drives action. Municipalities must identify risks early, assign clear accountability and act before those risks become financial, operational or service delivery failures,” said Mkiwane.
“These functions have different responsibilities, but they must work in a coordinated manner. Effective collaboration closes assurance gaps, strengthens accountability and supports better governance and audit outcomes,” said Nel.
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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