{
  "id": 11400080,
  "title": "Durban's struggles with financial mismanagement: A decade after Manase's warnings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/durbans-struggles-with-financial-mismanagement-a-decade-after-manases",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T08:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/opinion/2026-10-02-durbans-struggles-with-financial-mismanagement-a-decade-after-manases-warnings/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A decade after the Manase investigation raised concerns about eThekwini's financial controls, similar issues persist and are impacting residents. The investigation identified problems like irregular expenditure, procurement abuse, non-compliance with procurement rules, and conflicts of interest. The City has maintained an unqualified audit opinion, but its own records show areas needing attention. In 2023/24, audited UIFW expenditure was R1.501 billion, increasing to R2.410 billion in 2022/23 and R1.619 billion in 2023/24. Write-offs and recoveries for irregular expenditure totaled R2.298 billion and R60.95 million respectively, with R1.816 billion recommended for 2025/26. Non-revenue water losses amounted to approximately R2.92 billion in 2024/25. Despite progress, these issues remain, and residents need tangible outcomes to ensure their money is used effectively.",
  "summary": "This in-depth examination of Durban's financial mismanagement reveals a troubling pattern of inaction a decade after crucial warnings from the Manase investigation.",
  "key_points": [
    "Manase investigation raised financial control concerns a decade ago.",
    "Irregular expenditure, procurement abuse, and conflicts of interest persist.",
    "Non-revenue water losses R2.92 billion in 2024/25."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}