The 2024/25 Auditor-General audit shows the Eastern Cape is making notable strides in financial management, compliance, and governance across provincial departments and public entities. Conducted under the Public Audit Act and Public Finance Management Act, the results reflect the province s strengthened commitment to accountability and clean administration.

Significant progress was recorded in the Departments of Health and Education, which previously received qualified opinions. Both departments have now achieved financially unqualified outcomes due to targeted interventions in financial controls, contract management, and reporting systems, marking a milestone for service delivery to millions of residents. Several departments, including Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, and Provincial Treasury, retained clean audits. The Office of the Premier and the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture improved from unqualified findings to clean audits, reflecting strong leadership and consistent compliance with the PFMA.

Public entities, including the Coega Development Corporation, East London IDZ, and Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board, retained clean audits, reinforcing investor confidence. Some entities, such as the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency and Eastern Cape Development Corporation, received unqualified audits with findings, while the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex and Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency will receive targeted support.

Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane said the results demonstrate steady progress and reaffirmed the province s commitment to clean governance, financial oversight, skills development, and service delivery improvements. While we celebrate clean audits, we remain focused on addressing remaining findings to ensure all institutions achieve clean governance,” he said.