The Bethanie Village Council administrators have failed to answer questions on financial discrepancies flagged in audit reports for the financial years that ended in June 2019 and 2020.

The questions were posed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Economy watchdog at a public hearing in Bethanie Village. 

Both the village council's CEO, Edward Kuhlman, and accountant, Reginald Kennedy, conceded that no council meeting was convened to discuss irregularities flagged in the audit reports. 

This, they acknowledged, led to their inability to respond to the committee's questions.

The committee's chairperson, Peter Kazongominja, had to adjourn the public hearing to discuss the council's administrators' lack of preparedness.

"If you haven't done anything, just be very honest with the committee and answer very honestly so that we do not take your time. And then the committee will remain behind, and then we will make a decision on what to do."

The standing committee highlighted that the council's liabilities exceed its current assets and sought clarity on turnaround strategies implemented to address the liquidity crisis. 

The 2019 and 2020 audit reports show the council's liabilities exceed current assets by N$3.6 million and N$4.6 million, respectively. 

It also transpired that the council's salary bill amounts to N$300,000, while its monthly revenue collection stands at N$430,000. 

The standing committee directed the council to address the irregularities pointed out in the audit reports, noting it will soon convene with all stakeholders for a follow-up meeting to assess the council's financial position.