Gauteng records R4.2bn in irregular spending

image: SABC

by Kelebogile Matlou

Despite improvements in overall audit results across departments and public bodies, the Gauteng Provincial Government expended R4.2 billion in new irregular expenditures during the 2024–2025 fiscal year. 

During a media event on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, following the tabling of annual reports in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Finance MEC Lebogang Maile disclosed the figures. According to him, the province is automating procedures associated with quotations and tenders in an effort to strengthen adherence to supply chain management laws.

According to Maile, 14 out of 19 public institutions and eight provincial departments had clean audit results, indicating progress in financial accountability and governance. However, other departments continue to have challenges. 

The Departments of Infrastructure Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Social Development, Health, and Human Settlements all kept unqualified audit opinions with conclusions, primarily owing to noncompliance with rules and regulations. Meanwhile, the Department of Education’s audit opinion reverted from clean to unqualified, while the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation’s audit opinion shifted from unqualified to qualified.

Maile further said that the Department of Health was the only one identified for noncompliance in all audit areas, citing inadequate internal controls. He said that recurring concerns such as irregular spending, poor supply chain management, and a lack of consequence management continue to be significant challenges across multiple departments. 

“Consequence management is still a problem in 50% of departments, as accounting officers failed to implement recommendations from completed investigations,” Maile told