Video | “AG points to insufficient evidence to necessitate overtime” – Sello More

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – Mangaung Metro City Manager Sello More says many of the findings raised by the Auditor-General (AG) relate to historical challenges inherited by the municipality, with some material irregularities dating back to 2016.

He said some of the officials who were responsible for those matters have since left the municipality or are no longer alive, making it more difficult to resolve outstanding issues. More stressed that the metro has nonetheless introduced measures to address the AG’s findings and strengthen governance.

Responding to concerns over overtime, More said the AG’s findings do not suggest that overtime should be stopped, but rather that there must be sufficient evidence to justify it.

He attributed the municipality’s reliance on overtime to an ageing workforce and a vacancy rate of more than 60%, leaving the remaining employees to perform the work of a fully staffed municipality.

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He said stricter controls have been introduced, including mandatory pre-approval by managers, verification before payment, and standard operating procedures to ensure only legitimate overtime claims are processed. More added that overtime has already been reduced from between 120 and 150 hours to about 30 hours per month, while the municipality is finalising an overtime policy and pursuing the implementation of a shift system to further reduce costs.

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On the AG’s findings relating to municipal assets and water losses, More said the metro is replacing vandalised and stolen prepaid electricity meters and expanding the rollout of prepaid meters, particularly in rural areas.

He said the municipality has also regularised more than seven informal settlements to address illegal connections and is working with a telecommunications company to introduce technology that will help detect illegal water and electricity connections. More maintained that most of the municipality’s non-revenue water losses are caused by illegal connections rather than leaking infrastructure.

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More said the municipality has improved its response to water leaks, with reported cases now being attended to within 48 hours, although ageing infrastructure in some areas continues to pose challenges. He said upgrades to old pipelines are being prioritised to ensure lasting solutions and reduce water losses. Emphasising that the municipality is actively responding to the Auditor-General’s concerns, More said Mangaung remains committed to improving financial management, strengthening internal controls and enhancing service delivery despite the historical challenges it continues to face.

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