Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
The problem was the City's records of what customers owe it. The Auditor-General said 'manipulation' of the computer system holding these records meant they could not be relied on. The Auditor-General doubts Ekurhuleni can keep running and paying its bills. 2024-25 is the first year this doubt was flagged. Ekurhuleni formally disputed findings in the Auditor-General's audit. This means it did not agree with them. The Auditor-General's report sums up Ekurhuleni in one line: "Governance failures are worsening the state of service delivery". Here, governance means how the council is led and run.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Row 172 (City of Ekurhuleni Metro), under 'Qualified with findings': 2024-25 Qualified; 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22 and 2020-21 Unqualified. Row 291 (consolidated) the same.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Row 199 (City of Ekurhuleni Metro), in the 'Qualified with findings' section: 2024-25 'Qualified', 2023-24 'Unqualified'. Row 298 (consolidated) also qualified.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 28 April 2026.
Where to look: Slide 27 (PDF page 27), 'Basis for qualified Audit Opinion': limitation on consumer debtors, 'manipulation of computerised accounts receivable system compromised credibility and reliability of accounts receivable balance'
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 197 (PDF page 201), City of Ekurhuleni dashboard: headline 'Governance failures are worsening the state of service delivery'; five-year row 2020-21 and 2021-22 Clean audit, 2022-23 and 2023-24 Unqualified with findings, 2024-25 Qualified with findings; 'Financial statements Audit opinion: Qualified' (material misstatement 'Receivables' not corrected); 'Performance report Audit opinion: Unqualified'; 'Going concern uncertainty Yes (2024-25)'. Printed page 10 (PDF page 14): 'City of Ekurhuleni disclosed going concern uncertainties in 2024-25' and Ekurhuleni among the metros that 'lodged formal disputes on our audit findings'. Printed page 50 (PDF page 54): 'City of Ekurhuleni Metro 1 year' in the list of municipalities with going concern uncertainty. Printed page 167 (PDF page 171): no material findings on the performance report at Cape Town and Ekurhuleni.
Daily Maverick. Published 20 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 3: the AG confirms it had not signed off Ekurhuleni's 2024-25 audit report because of a dispute declared by the metro (context: the sign-off was delayed)
Business Day. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 4 (Ekurhuleni among five metros with qualified opinions); paragraph 17 (Gauteng's three metros regressed)
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Nkosindiphile Xhakaza (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, African Independent Congress. From Apr 2024 to Feb 2026.
City of Ekurhuleni. Published 18 October 2026.
Where to look: Opening line: 'was elected as the Executive Mayor on 11 April 2024 during an extraordinary council meeting' (page undated; date = day read)
Daily Maverick. Published 11 April 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 3: Xhakaza elected unopposed as executive mayor at an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday 11 April 2024
EWN. Published 15 April 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 2 (EFF retains its five mayoral committee seats, ANC has four); paragraph 3 (former mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana is MMC for Corporate and Shared Services); the embedded EWN post below the article names him as AIC
Daily Maverick. Published 19 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (reshuffle on Tuesday night); paragraph 4 (EFF turned down two posts, had four, pulled out of the coalition); paragraph 6 (coalition of ANC, EFF, ActionSA and PA)
IOL. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraphs 21-22: ActionSA says it was not part of any agreement and will not join the mayor's government
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