Venaani irked by delayed release of August 26 audit report – Windhoek Observer

Stefanus Nashama

The leader of the Official Opposition, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, said he is deeply disappointed with the prolonged delay in the publication of the forensic audit report into the affairs of August 26 Holdings.

Since 2018, Venaani has made numerous calls to have the state-owned company’s books audited, stressing that the company has failed to account for public funds since its inception.

The calls include the office of the Ombudsman to render a legal opinion on the legality of the auditing of the company.

August 26 is fully owned by the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, on behalf of the government.

Last year, while expressing the same issue, Venaani penned a letter to the Auditor-General, Junias Kandjeke, questioning the status of the forensic audit report, which was believed to have commenced in May 2021.

He also wrote to President Hage Geingob calling for the auditing of August 26’s books in May 2021.

Despite these efforts, Venaani said the Auditor-General, has not responded to his request.

This, he said, is a deliberate attempt at ignoring the request for the company auditions.

“The lack of accountability was depicted by August 26 and its subsidiaries despite being recipients of multimillion-dollar government contracts.

This has undermined the values and transparency we stand for as a democratic country, hence, the company should be audited like any other public enterprise that relies on taxpayer’s money,” stressed Venaani.

Venaani said the lack of accountability raises serious questions about the commitment to accountability within the Namibian government’s structures.

He said he believes that the forensic audit of August 26 has been completed and that the report is in the possession of the Office of the Auditor-General.

Seeking for solution to the matter, Venaani urged the Auditor-General’s office to publish the report before 11 April this year.

He added that failure to do this will leave him with no choice, but to approach the Anti-Corruption Commission to intervene.

“The Namibian public deserves to be informed about how millions of taxpayer dollars are spent within the August 26 Holding Company,” he stated.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Office of the Auditor-General were unsuccessful.