The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued a strong call for immediate and decisive action by Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu following the release of the latest Auditor General’s (AG) report for the 2024/2025 financial year. The report reveals a troubling state of financial mismanagement and accountability within the province’s government, with over R10 billion recorded as irregular expenditure and several departments regressing in their audit outcomes.
Bosman Grobler, MPL and DA Caucus Leader in Mpumalanga, emphasised the seriousness of these findings, stating, “The recent AG report paints a disturbing picture of a government that has regressed rather than improved in matters of financial oversight. This failure to manage public funds is unacceptable, and it requires urgent action from the Premier and his leadership team.”
According to the report, five key departments—Sports, Education, Agriculture, Social Development, and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency—have shown regression from their previous clean audit outcomes. The reasons cited include salary overpayments, approving housing allowances for civil servants who did not qualify, unfilled critical vacancies, lack of IT resources between departments and provincial treasury, and instability at the management and leadership levels. Grobler asserted, “These issues highlight systemic failures across multiple departments. It’s clear that accountability has been sidelined, and the province’s finances are suffering as a result.”
The report further details that the Mpumalanga Provincial Government recorded an alarming R10.8 billion worth of irregular expenditure during the 2024/2025 financial year. The departments contributing the most to this figure are the Health Department with R5.8 billion, followed by Education with R1.8 billion, Human Settlements with R0.5 billion, and Social Development with R0.3 billion. Grobler condemned this situation, saying, “Such massive irregular spending indicates a lack of proper financial controls and oversight. It is the taxpayers’ money that is being misused or lost through poor management.”
The DA is calling on Premier Mandla Ndlovu to act in accordance with the recommendations made by the AG. These include monitoring and supporting department accounting officers in investigating unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, as well as implementing appropriate consequence management. Grobler emphasised, “Premier Ndlovu must not only support these investigations but also hold those responsible accountable. Failure to do so undermines public trust and perpetuates a culture of impunity.”
Furthermore, the party insists that the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature must ensure that the Premier is held accountable for addressing these financial irregularities. “The legislature has a duty to ensure that investigations are completed thoroughly and that appropriate consequences are enforced against those implicated,” Grobler added.
Grobler concluded with a call to action: “We urge Premier Mandla Ndlovu to follow the recommendations of the AG without delay. The time for excuses has passed. The people of Mpumalanga deserve responsible leadership that prioritises accountability, transparency, and good governance. Only then can we restore trust and ensure proper management of public resources.”