Accra:The Department of Transport has successfully achieved two consecutive clean audit outcomes for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, marking a significant milestone in its governance reform journey. This achievement follows more than three decades without such an audit and represents a broader commitment to accountability, transparency, and sound financial management.
According to South African Government News Agency, the department's Acting Director-General Mathabatha Mokonyama highlighted that the clean audits reflect a culture change within the department aimed at strengthening public confidence and ensuring effective use of resources. The audits are part of a broader strategy to deliver quality transport infrastructure and services that bolster economic growth, regional trade, and improved mobility for all South Africans.
The department's journey to clean audits involved overcoming several challenges, particularly in performance information quality, target alignment, consequence management, and contract management. Mokonyama noted that delayed action on issues such as irregular expenditure had been a concern raised by the Auditor-General of South Africa. The department has since enhanced its processes to address these issues promptly.
Post-audit workshops with the Auditor-General have been instrumental in identifying areas for improvement, leading to the development of clear action plans to prevent the recurrence of audit findings. Mokonyama expressed the department's intention to maintain the momentum of achieving clean audits in the future.
In addition to clean audits, the department has been focused on recovering from the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns, which severely affected the transport sector. The rail sector, in particular, suffered extensive vandalism, but recovery efforts have already restored 35 of the targeted 40 corridors. This recovery is crucial for both passenger and freight rail, which are vital to the country's economic activity.
The transport sector's role as a major employer and economic enabler is emphasized by Mokonyama, who points out its substantial contribution to the economy. The sector not only provides thousands of direct jobs but also supports numerous economic activities reliant on the movement of people and goods. The department's continued investment in infrastructure and governance improvements aims to support economic activity and enhance regional connectivity.
