Politicians question N$252.9 million Defence overspending

By: Envaalde Matheus

Opposition political parties are questioning the government’s financial controls after the defence ministry overspent its approved budget by N$252.9 million in the 2024/25 financial year.

The Auditor General reported that the Defence Department spent N$7.14 billion against its approved budget of N$6.88 billion, despite receiving an unqualified audit opinion.

The report attributed overspending to a five percent salary adjustment implemented in April 2024.

The finance ministry explained that under the State Finance Act, the Treasury can authorise additional expenditure within prescribed limits, with the minister reportedly empowered to approve up to 30% of certain unbudgeted items.

IPC shadow finance minister Michael Mwashindange says the arrangement is unacceptable, arguing that some ministries exploit the system to obtain additional funding without parliamentary scrutiny.

PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe accepts the clean audit opinion but questions the ministry’s budget compliance and calls for the release of the August 26 audit report.

Governance lecturer Professor Johan Coetzee said unauthorised overspending does not automatically prove corruption, but the ministry must explain how it occurred and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Previous audit reports also flagged overspending at the defence ministry, including N$43.96 million in 2014/15, N$127.23 million across two subdivisions in 2018/19, and further overspending in 2019/20.

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