Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to financial accountability, effective oversight and institutional transparency as the region pursues its modernisation and industrialisation goals.
This pledge was made during the 43rd Ordinary Audit and Risk Committee Meeting, held from July 9 to 11, 2025, in Gaborone, Botswana.
The meeting focused on reviewing financial operations for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, a period during which Zimbabwe holds the SADC Chairmanship.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the SADC Secretariat said the outcomes and recommendations from the Audit and Risk Committee would be presented to the SADC Council of Ministers.
“During the meeting, the Audit and Risk Committee reviewed the 2024/2025 annual audit report submitted by the SADC Board of Auditors, focusing on the following key areas: Financial operations for the 2024/2025 fiscal year; Effectiveness of internal controls and risk management systems; Results of internal and external audit processes; Overall performance of the SADC Secretariat in delivering efficiency, economy, and effectiveness,” said the Secretariat.
In accordance with Article 29 of the SADC Treaty and the 2005 Council resolution, external audits of the SADC Secretariat are carried out by Supreme Audit Institutions from Member States.
This year’s audit was led by Mr Christian Mudina Leboyer of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with support from audit teams from Malawi and Mauritius.
The Audit and Risk Committee was chaired by Ms Portia Mamba, an auditor from Eswatini’s Ministry of Finance.
Other committee members included representatives from Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia and Seychelles.
“Operating under the provisions of the SADC Treaty and supported by the Secretariat, the Audit and Risk Committee continues to play an important role in promoting good governance, and strengthening collaboration among Member States,” reads the communique.
The Internal Audit and Risk Management unit within the SADC Secretariat is mandated to co-ordinate risk management activities and provide assurance on the effectiveness of internal controls.
It’s work helps mitigate identified risks and supports the achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives.
