Pretoria: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, says the achievement of an unqualified audit opinion for the 2024/25 financial year reflects the department’s commitment to robust financial management.

According to South African Government News Agency, despite a R2.5 billion budget reduction over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) continues to demonstrate accountability and fiscal prudence in the management of public funds.

“We are immensely proud of this achievement, which reflects our unwavering dedication to responsible stewardship of public resources. Even with severe budget constraints, our team has maintained the highest standards of financial governance and integrity,” the Minister said in a statement on Monday.

In its report, the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) acknowledged the department’s progress in strengthening internal controls and governance systems. However, the audit identif
ied areas requiring continued focus, particularly on consequence management linked to historic irregular expenditure.

“The legacy issues stem from older contracts found to be non-compliant with Treasury regulations and remain under active resolution. We have implemented stronger oversight, improved contract management, and stricter accountability processes to ensure that all future expenditure fully complies with the law,” George said.

The DFFE has already initiated a series of corrective measures, including the enhancement of internal audit functions, tighter procurement monitoring, and regular compliance reviews. These actions form part of a broader institutional effort to strengthen governance and uphold the principles of transparency and good administration.

The Minister reaffirmed that the department remains committed to maintaining an unqualified audit opinion and ensuring that every rand spent delivers measurable benefit to South Africa’s people and environment.

“A sound audit outcome is not an end
in itself. It reflects a culture of integrity, professionalism, and accountability that must define how government serves the public. Our focus remains on ensuring that good governance translates into real, sustainable results,” George said.