In a sector where accountability underpins everything from road maintenance to rail revitalisation, the auditing of government departments like the Department of Transport (DoT) is not a cursory overview – it’s a ‘bumper-to-bumper’ investigation. Importantly, South Africa’s road freight industry depends on stable policy, financial integrity and transparent public sector performance. For the first time in 31 years, the DoT has achieved a clean audit and that’s not just good news for its employees. It inspires confidence in the systems that underpin everything from transport infrastructure spend to truck operator permits.
According to the official DoT media statement dated 3 August 2025, the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) found no material misstatements in the Department’s financial statements for 2024/25, praised the strength of internal controls and noted no issues in the completeness of reported performance indicators.
“This is a step in the right direction towards a fully accountable and clean administration,” says Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. Her Deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, echoes the sentiment.
Minister Creecy says the result stems from a coordinated effort across internal audit, risk management, oversight structures and executive leadership. Management was credited with acting on audit recommendations promptly and engaging the AGSA proactively.
“The department’s commitment to clean governance and accountability” was listed as a key factor.
Also acknowledged was the role of the Transport Portfolio Committee in ensuring accountability to Parliament – a reminder that clean governance doesn’t happen in silos.
This audit outcome won’t fix potholes or rebuild Transnet but it does suggest the DoT is finally getting its own house in order – and that matters, especially to those who move goods and people across this country every day.
Editor’s comment: FleetWatch extends congratulations to Minister Creecy, Deputy Minister Hlengwa and the entire team at the DoT on this landmark clean audit. Achieving this level of financial and operational accountability – after more than three decades – is no small feat in a complex and politically charged environment. It suggests that discipline, leadership and a genuine commitment to good governance are effectively lubricating critical departmental gears.
We hope this sets the tone for other departments and SOEs across the transport and logistics value chain. South Africa needs functional, transparent institutions now more than ever, and this result shows it can be done. Well done, Minister. Keep going!
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