Concerns have been raised about governance at the Msukaligwa Local Municipality following the release of its 2024/25 financial findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa. In a statement issued by Shobie Arnoldi of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), the municipality’s third consecutive qualified audit opinion since 2022 is described as a clear indication of continued financial and administrative challenges.
Arnoldi points to repeated findings over four years, including water losses of 66%, electricity losses of 61%, and 72% of municipal accounts reportedly not being collected. The report further highlights a lack of improvement in performance information, no action plan to stimulate economic growth, inadequate oversight of financial statements, and the absence of consequence management for misconduct. “These ongoing failures point to political unwillingness rather than a lack of knowledge,” Arnoldi states, adding that the same financial and management mistakes are being repeated year after year without meaningful corrective action.
The statement also criticises the ANC-controlled council, arguing that majority power is being used to avoid accountability rather than to implement solutions. Arnoldi maintains that the municipality’s budget remains unfunded and warns that continued water and electricity losses pose a direct threat to sustainable service delivery. The VF Plus concludes by calling for urgent accountability, competent governance, and decisive reform, saying residents and businesses in Msukaligwa deserve better governance and improved service delivery.