LGSETA and ACFESA Join Forces to Strengthen Governance and Combat Fraud in Local Government

11 March 2025

The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners South Africa (ACFESA) have taken a significant step toward promoting ethical leadership and governance in local government. On 11 March 2025, the two organizations formalized their commitment to combating fraud and enhancing accountability through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The partnership underscores a shared dedication to equipping municipal officials with the necessary skills to detect, prevent, and combat fraudulent activities within local government structures. With all 257 municipalities under its purview, LGSETA’s collaboration with ACFESA will play a critical role in reinforcing transparency and strengthening governance at the municipal level.

A Commitment to Ethical Leadership and Accountability

The MoU establishes a framework for initiatives that will enhance fraud prevention mechanisms and promote ethical leadership across local government. Through targeted training, certification programs, and capacity-building initiatives, the collaboration aims to instill a culture of integrity and professionalism in municipal administrations.

Key focus areas of the partnership include:

• Collaborative Research – Conducting studies on fraud prevention strategies tailored to local government challenges.
• Fraud Awareness Campaigns – Utilizing Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) forums to promote awareness and proactive fraud detection.
• Knowledge-Sharing Platforms – Strengthening information exchange and best practices to improve governance structures.

Creating a Greater Impact in Local Government

By driving these targeted skills development initiatives, LGSETA continues to uphold its mandate of ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and that service delivery to communities is enhanced. The collaboration with ACFESA further cements LGSETA’s role in shaping a local government sector that is transparent, accountable, and ethical.

“This partnership is more than just an agreement; it is a commitment to fostering a public service culture that values integrity, ethics, and good governance,” said LGSETA CEO, Mr Ineeleng Molete at the signing ceremony.

Together, LGSETA and ACFESA are setting the foundation for a future where ethical leadership is the standard, and municipalities operate with the highest level of accountability. Through this collaboration, the local government sector moves closer to a governance model that truly serves the best interests of communities across South Africa.