The quandary of basic financial management systems and control functioning within the South African municipalities is no hyperbolic matter but a reality that delivers poor results, evident from one financial year to another, yet there is no change in the controls and evaluation of the 'not able to deliver' financial management system. This sphere of government should deliver on the Constitutional mandate as expected by the poor populace. Unfortunately there appears to be no solid financial control mechanisms laid down to enable deliverance to the needy poor of the country.Can this state of affairs as a matter of audit reports continue with no consequences to those responsible and accountable within the municipalities? What are the implications of this financial malpractice on the entire functioning of a municipality? This paper analyses the prevailing state of financial management within municipalities and outlines how critic