There were frequent media reports on "horrific insider-trading" and clear contraventions of good corporate governance, Cape Town city manager Robert Maydon said yesterday.

Addressing the Institute of Internal Auditors conference on Corporate Governance in the city, he said corruption and unacceptable practices were problems bot the public and private sectors faced.

"Corruption should be tackled and rooted out," he said.

Maydon said the city was doing its best to match a cleaner environment with cleaner government, and combating corruption was integral to its vision of making Cape Town a world-class city. To this end the council had appointed an external audit committee and a public accounts committee to beef up its watchdog function.

Maydon said that in his 10 months as city manager, the council had addressed weaknesses in areas of performance and accountability.

He and his management board focussed on three things: the customer, service delivery and financial sustainability.

"Good governance is pertinent to all three goals, but essential for financial for financial sustainability," Maydon said.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times.