When the function was devolved on 30 June 2008, there had been certain amounts due by the national Department of Public Works. Municipalities did not transfer these outstanding balances to a separate account, but charged them to the province. The province was being charged interest on the outstanding balances of the national Department of Public Works as at 1 July 2008. The total outstanding amount claimed by various municipalities amounted to R10.678 million. However, this amount had not been audited and, as a result of factors like changes in management and billing systems, municipalities had not been able to present supporting documents to prove these outstanding amounts. As a result, some sort of intervention was required.