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Treasury proposes role in appointing municipal finance chiefs

Published

National Treasury wants to change the Public Finance Management Act and the Municipal Finance Management Act to tackle financial misconduct. Under the proposals, political office bearers and board directors would be personally liable for unauthorised and wasteful expenditure.

Treasury announced the proposals after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled the Medium-term Budget Policy Statement on 21 October. The plan would modernise the two laws. Treasury would play a role in appointing municipal chief financial officers (CFOs).

Treasury Director General Duncan Pieterse explained the CFO proposal. He said: "The current proposal that is in the MFMA is for the National Treasury to play a role in CFO appointments only."

Pieterse said the proposal could change after the public makes submissions. The CFO proposal is open to public comment.

Key facts

Who
Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister, tabled the Medium-term Budget Policy Statement); Duncan Pieterse (Director General, National Treasury); National Treasury (government department proposing the reforms)
What
The National Treasury announced a proposed overhaul of municipal finance laws, modernising the Public Finance Management Act and Municipal Finance Management Act to tackle financial misconduct. The proposals would have Treasury play a role in CFO appointments, subject to public comment, and make political office bearers and board directors personally liable for unauthorised and wasteful…
When
21 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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