The Board of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has received a clean audit opinion from the Auditor General of South Africa for the 2021/2022 financial year.
This is the first time the entity has received a clean audit opinion since the merger of the Mpumalanga Tourism Authority and Mpumalanga Parks Board.
The MTPA is tasked with the responsibility to provide for the sustainable management and promotion of tourism and nature conservation in the province and to ensure the sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
“As the Board, we are delighted to receive the final Audit Report from the Auditor-General. The outcome restores public trust in the public entity and confirms that the public purse is used as required,” said Victor Mashego, Board Chairperson of the MTPA.
“The Board has been in office for less than a year. Management had started with strengthening controls and we solidified those efforts. We are delighted in the discipline, good corporate governance and prudent financial management portrayed by team MTPA.”
Mashego said the clean audit showed the resilience in the determination to do good by team MTPA despite the negative impact and uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial pressures as well as the struggling economy.
“The Auditor-General has commended the management for implementing the audit action plans emanating from previous financial year recommendations. The onus is on the MTPA management to continue with tighter controls and improvement of our processes,” added Mduduzi Vilakazi, Acting CEO of the MTPA.
“We will continue with our efforts to maintain a positive reputation for the entity. It is a long journey that requires a consistent and co-ordinated effort with our broader stakeholders in the tourism and conservation sectors.”