Cops blow budget

THE Namibian Police overspent their annual budget by N$53,9 million this past financial year, the Office of the Auditor General says.

In his latest report, tabled in Parliament, the Office criticised the overspending, which, it cautioned, was contrary to the State Finance Act. Another worrying fact for Auditor General Junias Kandjeke was the N$7,39 million in outstanding subsistence allowances paid to Police officers during the year under review.The Police department also overspent by N$2,17 million on tenders.The financial year that ended on March 31 2005 still fell under the previous Police Chief, Inspector General Lucas Hangula.The new Police boss, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, was appointed by President Hifikepunye Pohamba last year.POOR CONTROL “The fact that the total vote was exceeded by 7,2 per cent is a clear indication that budgetary control in that Department has not improved compared with the previous financial year,” Kandjeke said in his audit report.”The high amount of outstanding subsistence advances indicates a significant control weakness,” he added.”This issue was reported in the past three financial years as a matter of concern but the situation has once again deteriorated,” Kandjeke criticised.The audit report further revealed that various staff members in the Police had approved payments for capital expenditure “without written delegation approval.Most vouchers (of approval) were not stamped; there were no supporting documents attached and no evidence that vouchers received from the Ministry of Works as approval of these projects were recalculated (for correct) expenditure,” the Auditor General criticised.Another worrying fact for Auditor General Junias Kandjeke was the N$7,39 million in outstanding subsistence allowances paid to Police officers during the year under review.The Police department also overspent by N$2,17 million on tenders.The financial year that ended on March 31 2005 still fell under the previous Police Chief, Inspector General Lucas Hangula.The new Police boss, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, was appointed by President Hifikepunye Pohamba last year.POOR CONTROL “The fact that the total vote was exceeded by 7,2 per cent is a clear indication that budgetary control in that Department has not improved compared with the previous financial year,” Kandjeke said in his audit report.”The high amount of outstanding subsistence advances indicates a significant control weakness,” he added.”This issue was reported in the past three financial years as a matter of concern but the situation has once again deteriorated,” Kandjeke criticised.The audit report further revealed that various staff members in the Police had approved payments for capital expenditure “without written delegation approval.Most vouchers (of approval) were not stamped; there were no supporting documents attached and no evidence that vouchers received from the Ministry of Works as approval of these projects were recalculated (for correct) expenditure,” the Auditor General criticised.