Lifestyle audit regulations planned for municipalities

The South African government is set to expand lifestyle audit regulations beyond the national and provincial levels to include the 257 municipalities nationwide. However, these regulations will not be finalized before the upcoming local government elections on November 4, as the process is intricate and demands consultation among various stakeholders.

The Department of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the South African Local Government Association have initiated a task team to harmonize ethics, discipline management, and lifestyle audits across the public service and develop the necessary regulations. Currently, lifestyle audits are not mandatory in the local government sphere, with councillors and senior management officials required by law to disclose their financial disclosures as per the Municipal Structures Act.

Minister Mzamo Buthelezi clarified that the development of the regulations is a complex task that necessitates consultation and agreement from multiple parties, including the Ministers of Public Service and Administration, Finance, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the chairperson of the South African Local Government Association.

The task team has divided into three technical workstreams focusing on Ethics Management, Discipline Management, and Lifestyle Audits, overseen by a coordinating team and an executive committee. The draft Lifestyle Audit Regulations are expected to be finalized by the end of the 2028/29 financial year, with consultation and approval processes pending.

Critics argue that the timely implementation of these regulations is crucial to addressing corruption and financial misconduct within municipalities.