Kangulu demands answers on N$860 000 defence department’s travel spending

Sostenus Wilherm

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow minister of defence and veterans affairs Aloisius Kangulu has called on the defence ministry to explain N$860 000 reportedly spent on subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances.

He raised concerns about transparency, financial accountability and the management of public funds.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kangulu said the reported expenditure raised serious questions about how public resources were being managed, particularly by a ministry that receives billions of dollars from the national budget.

“The Namibian people deserve to know how their taxes are spent, particularly by ministries receiving billions of dollars from the national budget,” he said.

His statement follows reports published on Monday indicating that the department of defence spent approximately N$7.14 billion during the 2024/25 financial year, exceeding its approved budget of N$6.88 billion by N$252.9 million.

Although the department received an unqualified audit opinion, Kangulu said the reported unauthorised expenditure raised important questions about budgetary discipline and compliance with financial regulations.

“A clean audit opinion must never be interpreted as permission to overlook unauthorised expenditure or unresolved questions about the use of public funds,” he said.

He argued that public institutions must demonstrate not only that their financial statements meet applicable accounting requirements but also that expenditure is properly authorised, adequately documented and directed towards its intended objectives.

Kangulu acknowledged that national defence remains a critical responsibility of the state, requiring adequate funding to maintain operational readiness, modernise military equipment and ensure that the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) is sufficiently equipped to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

However, he warned that the need to fund defence operations should not be used to justify unexplained expenditure or weaknesses in financial oversight.

“The need for adequate defence funding cannot become a justification for unexplained expenditure or weaknesses in financial oversight,” the statement reads.

He added that substantial allocations to the defence sector made it particularly important for the ministry to demonstrate that public expenditure was justified and properly accounted for.

Kangulu called on the minister of defence and veterans affairs, Frans Kapofi to issue a ministerial statement explaining the reported N$860 000 in S&T expenditure, including the purpose of the payments, the officials or personnel involved and the authorisation procedures followed.

He also wants the minister to clarify whether supporting documentation is available and whether any irregularities were identified during the relevant financial processes.

Furthermore, Kangulu urged the ministry to outline corrective measures taken or planned to strengthen expenditure controls, improve record-keeping and address audit findings.

“Where expenditure cannot be substantiated, appropriate investigations and accountability measures must follow in accordance with the law,” he said.

The IPC lawmaker also called for stronger parliamentary oversight and the timely implementation of recommendations by the Auditor-General, arguing that accountability must remain a priority even in sensitive government departments.

He said national security matters should be handled responsibly but warned against using confidentiality as a blanket excuse to withhold financial accountability from the appropriate oversight institutions.

According to Kangulu, defence funding should produce tangible results, including improved operational capacity, properly maintained equipment, adequate logistical support and a capable national defence force.

He stressed that the issue was not about undermining the defence establishment but ensuring that public resources were managed responsibly and in the national interest.

“The call is therefore not to undermine the defence establishment, but to strengthen it through responsible financial management, credible oversight and accountability,” he said.

Kangulu added that public money belonged to the Namibian people and that those entrusted with managing it had a duty to account for every expenditure.