Audit questions justice ministry’s N$7.2m vehicle purchases

The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says prolonged funding constraints led to procurement irregularities involving more than N$30 million in vehicle spending, flagged in an audit. This follows auditor general Junias Kandjeke’s report for 2024/25, which exposed serious procurement and asset management irregularities within the ministry. According to the audit, the ministry paid N$1. 9 million for three Toyota Hilux double-cab vehicles on 20 March 2025, even though delivery was scheduled for April and May. The payment was processed without treasury authorisation and the purchase order lacked the accounting officer’s signature. In another transaction, the ministry accepted eight Toyota Urban Cruisers instead of the specified Toyota Corolla 1. 8 sedans valued at N$2. 6 million.

The report says the model substitution was done based on verbal communication without written approval, variation orders, or supporting documentation. The audit also flagged N$7. 2 million spent on acquiring vehicles that were completely excluded from the approved 2024/25 annual procurement plan. Kandjeke says none of the 125 vehicles in the ministry’s fleet, valued at N$22. 8 million and including 15 newly acquired units, were captured in the main asset register. The ministry instead relied on an unlinked vehicle master list. He says the figures represent different audit findings and should not be interpreted as a confirmed financial loss, as the unregistered vehicles may still exist as ministry assets. MINISTRY RESPONDS The ministry’s acting executive director, Aune Mudjanima, told The Namibian this week that the ministry’s vehicle procurement must be viewed as prolonged financial constraints. “The ministry was operating with an ageing fleet of the 2014/15 financial year, which had reached a…