The report highlighted the poor state of local governance across the country. Of South Africa\u2019s 257 municipalities, only 41 received clean audits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the country\u2019s major metros, Cape Town was the only one to achieve this standard. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke said the continued failures of local government showed that national and provincial interventions had not had the desired effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Eastern Cape, the majority of municipalities performed poorly. The Auditor-General noted that 85% had material findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the most concerning points included poor procurement practices, failure to prevent irregular and wasteful spending, and weak financial controls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly half of these municipalities did not properly investigate financial misconduct or take disciplinary action when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite this, Joe Gqabi was one of six municipalities in the province to receive a clean audit. Joe Gqabi is particularly noteworthy as it was the only one in the province to earn clean audits consecutively for four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis recognition reflects on the hard work undertaken by the municipalities and entity to implement clean governance and having the systems and records in place to justify their financial and performance status,\u201d said the municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that less than 10% of municipalities and their entities in the Eastern Cape have received this award for the 2023\/24 financial year, showing how difficult it is to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A clean audit means a municipality has submitted financial statements free from material misstatements, reported accurately on its performance objectives, and complied with legislation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt does not always reflect the lived experience of all communities in a municipal area,\u201d said Maluleke. However, she emphasised that it does create the necessary foundation for effective and transparent governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A semigration hotspot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/St-Francis-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nJoe Gqabi District Municipality is located in the north-eastern part of the province and borders the Free State and Lesotho. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It includes the local municipalities of Walter Sisulu, Senqu, and Elundini, covering towns such as Lady Grey, Barkly East, Burgersdorp, Ugie, and Sterkspruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Joe Gqabi is being recognised for its financial governance, the broader Eastern Cape is starting to draw attention as more South Africans are starting to move to the province. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index (HSI) for the first quarter of 2025 highlighted this as part of a shift in migration trends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the Western Cape still records positive net migration, Absa noted that this has slowed down compared to the previous three quarters, the Eastern Cape is seeing continued net inward migration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rising costs and congestion in cities like Cape Town are pushing buyers to consider alternatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giovanni Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services South Africa, said affordability is playing a major role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nJoe Gqabi District Municipality is located in the north-eastern part of the province and borders the Free State and Lesotho. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It includes the local municipalities of Walter Sisulu, Senqu, and Elundini, covering towns such as Lady Grey, Barkly East, Burgersdorp, Ugie, and Sterkspruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Joe Gqabi is being recognised for its financial governance, the broader Eastern Cape is starting to draw attention as more South Africans are starting to move to the province. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index (HSI) for the first quarter of 2025 highlighted this as part of a shift in migration trends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the Western Cape still records positive net migration, Absa noted that this has slowed down compared to the previous three quarters, the Eastern Cape is seeing continued net inward migration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rising costs and congestion in cities like Cape Town are pushing buyers to consider alternatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giovanni Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services South Africa, said affordability is playing a major role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n