North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has called on public institutions to move beyond mere compliance and embrace accountability, ethical leadership and good governance to improve audit outcomes and strengthen service delivery.
Speaking at the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) Clean Audit Awards for the 2025/26 financial year in Rustenburg, Mokgosi emphasised that sustainable improvements in audit performance require strong leadership, effective oversight, timely corrective action and consequence management.
While clean audits demonstrate sound financial management and effective internal controls, Mokgosi noted that the ultimate measure of success is the impact of good governance on the lives of citizens.
“The purpose of accountability is not merely to satisfy auditors. The purpose of accountability is to improve lives,” Mokgosi said.
The Premier urged public officials and institutional leaders to take responsibility for their decisions and performance, stressing that compliance alone cannot eliminate recurring audit findings without a strong culture of accountability.
The Department of Finance achieved its 13th consecutive clean audit, while the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs obtained its first clean audit.
The North West Provincial Legislature achieved its third consecutive clean audit. The North West Gambling Board, Klein Marico Recreation Centre, and Donkervleit Recreation Centres were also among the state-owned entities recognised for their clean audit outcomes.
Addressing the gathering, AGSA North West Business Unit Leader, Mthokozisi Sibisi, said the awards recognise institutions that demonstrate good governance while reinforcing the standards required for continuous improvement.
“We are not just recognising excellence because the journey is complete, but because there is a need to pave the way for future improvements,” Sibisi said.
Finance MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi highlighted that 10 provincial departments, five state-owned entities and three municipalities are on the Project Clean Audit, led by Provincial Treasury, as part of efforts to improve audit outcomes across the province.
“A clean audit is possible for all of us. We just need to instil a culture of discipline and decisive consequence management and pay proper attention to the right things,” Mosenogi said.
The awards recognised and celebrated auditees that have strengthened internal controls, improved governance, and demonstrated a commitment to responsible public administration.
Mokgosi reaffirmed the importance of building transparent, ethical and effective institutions that use public resources responsibly and deliver tangible results for communities.
“The quality of our governance will determine the quality of our development. The strength of our accountability will determine the strength of our institutions. Let us lead with integrity, govern with purpose and deliver with excellence,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
