Note to Editors: Please find soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Ald Dana Wannenburg here, and here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane strongly opposes the decision to absorb the City of Tshwane’s Group Audit and Risk (GAR) department into the Office of the Executive Mayor. This is a
direct attack on accountability and good governance.
Previously housed under the Corporate and Shared Services Department and reporting to the City Manager, GAR functioned as an independent body tasked with:
- Internal audits;
- Managing risk; and most notably
- Investigating fraud and corruption within the municipality.
Under the current ANC, EFF, and ActionSA government, the move to mayor’s office places a crucial oversight function directly under political control, compromising its independence and credibility.
GAR is responsible for nearly 1,000 ongoing investigations into financial mismanagement, fraud, and corruption. By moving this department under the Mayor’s purview, the ANC-led government is deliberately placing political influence over impartial investigations. This raises serious concerns about the integrity of findings, potential suppression of reports, and the selective targeting of individuals for political gain.
The Auditor-General (AG) has already flagged Tshwane’s financial situation as a significant risk, warning that the city’s internal controls are weak.
Now, with GAR under direct political control, there is little hope for improvement. Instead, the ANC, EFF, and ActionSA coalition has positioned itself to potentially interfere with investigations, protect allies from scrutiny, and manipulate audit findings to suit political narratives. This is a direct threat to good governance and transparency, and residents of Tshwane deserve better.
The DA demands that GAR be reinstated as an independent entity, reporting to the City Manager and Council, as it was originally structured. The department must be free to investigate, report, and act on financial misconduct without fear or favour.
We will explore all avenues to challenge this decision and ensure that accountability structures remain intact. We urge civil society, business leaders, and residents to join us in opposing this move before it is too late.
We will not allow the vital oversight functions of the City of Tshwane to be reduced to a political tool. The people of Tshwane deserve a government that values accountability, not one that hides behind bureaucracy to evade responsibility.