2014-02-25Mathias Haufiku "WINDHOEK – The Auditor General Junias Kandjeke is unsatisfied with the operations at the Koës Village Council where millions of Namibian dollars are unaccounted for. Kandjeke is also dissatisfied with the village council’s late submissions of its financial statements and its outstanding loan repayments. He revealed this in his report on the accounts of the Koës Village Council for the financial years that ended June 30 2011 and 2012 that was tabled last week in parliament by the Minister of Finance, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. “The accounting and internal controls are not satisfactory. Proper segregation of duties is not feasible due to the small number of staff employed,” stated Kandjeke. The Auditor General further revealed in his report that the provision for bad debts was understated by N$7.8 million between 2010 and 2012. A list of Build Together advances amounting to N$6.6 million between 2010 and 2012 was also not available for audit. He said the 2011 and 2012 financial statements were only submitted last year on January 28 and February 21 instead of within three months after the financial year ends as prescribed by law. Kandjeke’s report indicates that the village council owes government N$601 648. “Installments on external loans from central government for the years under review were not paid. No provision for interest on arrear payments has been made,” he further stated in the report. Kandjeke said auditors could not obtain satisfactory information regarding the movement of motor vehicles for the years under review. “Certain balance sheet items are clearly not correct and unless the errors identified are rectified in the financial systems and records, the annual financial statements cannot be seen as a fair reflection of the financial position of the council,” said Kandjeke. Bank reconciliations were also not available during the review period. As a result of a lack of internal control policies, he said auditors could not find satisfactory information or comment on the amount of loans written off, on erven sales, tariff adjustments or any inventories. Kandjeke warned that the council and management risks overriding existing controls with increased management involvement. He called for the integrity of staff in appropriate positions to be reviewed and to ensure qualified personnel are employed in respective positions. By Mathias Haufiku" 2014-02-25Mathias Haufiku
