Minister Hlabisa and AG launch AGSA-COGTA 10x10 forum to strengthen municipal governance and accountability

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, together with the Auditor-General, Ms Tsakani Maluleke, launched the AGSA–COGTA 10x10 Forum, a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening municipal governance, improving accountability and accelerating sustainable service delivery across South Africa.

The 10x10 Forum brings together the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA,  the national Department of Cooperative Governance and the nine provincial departments responsible for local government. The Forum establishes a structured platform for collaboration, coordination and implementation to ensure that audit findings are translated into tangible improvements in municipal performance.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Hlabisa described the Forum as a game-changing partnership that moves beyond the traditional oversight model by focusing on practical interventions that address the root causes of governance and service delivery challenges within municipalities.

"The AGSA–COGTA 10x10 Forum represents a decisive shift from identifying problems to implementing solutions. It is a practical commitment to collaboration, accountability and action. Through this partnership, we will strengthen our collective ability to identify systemic risks early, coordinate responses, support municipalities and drive sustainable improvements in governance and service delivery," said Minister Hlabisa.

The Minister emphasised that audit outcomes should not be viewed merely as annual compliance requirements but as valuable management tools that inform ongoing corrective action, support and oversight.

To guide the work of the Forum, Minister Hlabisa outlined five strategic priority outcomes:

• Elimination of unfunded municipal budgets within the next two years through credible and sustainable financial planning.
• Achievement of 100% submission of Annual Financial Statements (AFS) by municipalities.
• Eradication of audit disclaimers and adverse audit outcomes, while accelerating progress towards clean governance.
• Reduction of municipal dependence on consultants through the strengthening of internal capacity, skills and accountability.
• Improvement of overall audit outcomes by increasing the number of unqualified and clean audits through strengthened governance systems, professionalisation and quality assurance.

The Forum will further serve as an early-warning mechanism to identify systemic and emerging risks, monitor municipal performance, track the implementation of corrective measures and escalate areas of persistent concern requiring intervention.

Auditor-General Ms Tsakani Maluleke welcomed the establishment of the Forum, describing it as a strategic and action-oriented partnership built on a shared recognition that local government challenges are interconnected and require coordinated responses across the accountability ecosystem.

"The realities facing local government demand a collaborative and integrated approach. To turn around the current concerning state of local governance increased oversight efforts need to be doubled and replicated with all accountability ecosystem roleplayers steadfastly delivering on their respective distinct yet complimentary mandates, in support of the constitution" said Ms Maluleke.

The launch was attended by key stakeholders from across the governance and accountability ecosystem, including the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize; the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration, Mr Mxolisi Kaunda; the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Prof. Somadoda Fikeni; Deputy Ministers of CoGTA, Dr Namane Masemola and Rev. Prince Burns-Ncamashe; as well as MECs responsible for Cooperative Governance from Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.

The AGSA–COGTA 10x10 Forum underscores government’s shared commitment to building capable, ethical and accountable municipalities that are better positioned to deliver quality services and improve the lives of all South Africans.

"The success of this Forum will not be measured by the number of meetings convened, but by stronger municipalities, improved governance, responsible stewardship of public resources and better service delivery for our communities. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that every municipality works and that no community is left behind," concluded Minister Hlabisa.