BY THABO MCKENZIE
MIDDLEBURG: A jubilant executive Mayor cllr Diphala Motsepe, proudly announced on the 28th of April 2021 during his budget indaba key note address that STLM received a clean audit for 2019/2020 financial year. Simply put, this means the municipalities financial statements are clean, with no findings on predetermined objective, no findings with non-compliance to key legislation or any significant deficiencies in internal control. This municipality has a 20 year history of clean governance and excellent service due to its approach to service delivery. STLM has so far seen a payment rate by its residents rise to more than 95%. This has allowed the municipality to maintain the highest quality service and to provide free services to more than 17 000 indigent households. Between 2002 and 2008 the municipality received an unqualified audit opinion. After the advent of the clean audit status in 2008, the municipality has, in every subsequent year thrived in obtaining a clean audit reports. The 2013/2014, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 financial years were an exception where they obtained another unqualified audit report with a single blemish on their records. “I am incredibly proud of the political and administrative leadership of the municipality,” said Executive Mayor Diphala Motsepe. “It is a joy and privilege to announce that our financial records, procedures, processes and internal controls are at a level that is clean in the opinion of the Auditor- General,” added Motsepe. The report also added that there were no deficiencies identified in the municipality’s internal controls. In conclusion, the mayor said, “The residents can therefore be assured that the current political leadership and administration led by Mr. Bheki Khenisa are responsibly managing their assets and rendering services at the acceptable levels.