Thousands of councillors elected in South Africa’s November 4 local government elections will take office without undergoing mandatory lifestyle audits, with the government expecting related regulations to be finalised only by the end of the 2028/29 financial year.
Thousands of councillors will be elected in November to oversee municipal finances and service delivery, but they will enter office without undergoing mandatory lifestyle audits, with regulations for the long-promised system only expected to be finalised by the end of the 2028/29 financial year.
The development comes as political parties gear up for the November 4 local government elections, while the government is still working to bring lifestyle audits to municipal councils.
Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi said the regulations would not be ready for councillors elected after the local government elections.
“The regulations required for mandatory lifestyle audits will not be in place for councillors elected after the local government elections,” he said, responding to a parliamentary question from DA MP Eleanore Spies.
