The reappointment of auditor general Junias Kandjeke for another five-year term has provoked an instant assessment of his performance, his possible successor and the powers of his office from members of parliament (MPs).
Kandjeke has been the auditor general (AG) since 2003, but said he relished the opportunity to serve another term.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, he observed that his reappointment comes with the huge responsibility to look at how the central and local governments are performing in terms of financial accountability and good governance.
“I will look at why we don’t see a lot of improvement in terms of good governance. There are things beyond our control. If you look at constituencies, the councillors, mayors and deputy mayors are teachers, nurses and business people who are part-time. If you look at the quality of councillors - are they well-informed on financial governance? That’s beyond what the AG can do. You want someone who is full-time and qualified there,” he remarked.
Kandjeke said his office will continue with stakeholder engagements, where they meet and discuss the challenges which regional and local authorities face.
Although the majority of MPs agreed that Kandjeke had done a good job in auditing financial reports of government offices, ministries and agencies, some questioned the succession plan of the office, while others said he has been too long at the institution. A few bemoaned the lack of succession planning.
The heated debate followed a motion moved by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Tuesday that the National Assembly, in accordance with Article 127(1) of the Namibian Constitution, approves the reappointment by President Hage Geingob of Kandjeke as auditor general for a period of five years.
Her motion sought that the reappointment be approved by Parliament.
“Why are we reappointing the same person, as if there is no follow-up [person] in the system such as Goms Menette [deputy auditor general]? Why was Menette not considered to be the next auditor general? Instead of having a single name nominated, the President should have nominated at least three people so that we can debate their credentials. We withhold comment on whether we support the nomination or not”, reacted Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi.
Rally for Democracy and Progress’ (RDP) MP Mike Kavekotora described Kandjeke as a competent auditor general, as his work is also recognised in the SADC region.
“I really don’t have any issue with him professionally. He seems to be an independent auditor. I have an issue that when you stay too long in a position, you don’t pay the necessary attention to the job because you believe you know everything. Kandjeke has been in that position since 2003. Generally speaking, whether you are a minister, you need to give room to other people,” he observed.
He continued that when one stays in a job for too long, it’s either there is no competency in the field of accounting, or it is the favouritism of an individual.
“We don’t want a position to become a household issue. It’s very dangerous to continue with one individual. It is not good governance,” emphasised Kavekotora.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani applauded Kandjeke for having improved the books of various local authorities.
However, he said a lot still needs to be done to create mechanisms for easier auditing purposes in regional and local authorities, as officials are struggling to do basic accounting.
“He has proven us wrong in his work. We agree, he gets another five-year term for the last time,” Venaani said.
Swapo MP Albert Kawana praised Kandjeke, saying prior to his appointment in 2003, there was a backlog of unaudited financial reports in regional and local authorities.
“When he was appointed, most were resolved. He is a respected man, even in SADC. He is a hardworking, professional and fearless auditor general.”
Meanwhile, Swapo MP Bernadette Jagger raised an issue with the lack of gender representation surrounding this position.
“I want the next round to bring the nomination of a woman as auditor general, and not just because she is a woman; it should be a woman with knowledge, skills and qualifications to enter this important space,” she suggested.