A backlog of 84 outstanding Auditor General reports is set to come under parliamentary scrutiny as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts begins a five-day review workshop held at Swakopmund.

The workshop is aimed at strengthening accountability and improving financial management and improving financial management across government institutions.

Chairperson of the Committee, Hendrik Gaobaeb, said the committee will examine reports tabled in the National Assembly since March 2025 to determine which accounting officers and senior officials from ministries, regional councils, local authorities and state-owned institutions should be summoned to public hearings.

Of the 119 audit reports tabled since March 2025, only 35 have been reviewed.

The committee aims to clear 25 to 30 audit reports during the current workshop.

The review will focus on recurring audits' findings, including irregular and unauthorised expenditure, weak financial controls and adverse, qualified and disclaimed audit opinions.

Gaobaeb warned that institutions would be expected to provide evidence of corruptive action, stressing that the committee will no longer accept repeated audit findings that remain unresolved year after year.

"Let us be mindful of effective time management. I am counting on your participation and expertise to enable a turnaround of disclaimer, adverse and qualified audit reports in respect of our local authorities, regional councils, offices, ministries, agencies and statutory bodies into unqualified reports. The Secretariat is requested to take proper notes of each review and, at the same time, capture them in all three sub-committees and type the questions as formulated with the advice and assistance from the officials of the AG's office.' 

The workshop is being supported by the Office of the Auditor General, which is providing technical guidance as Parliament strengthens its oversight of public finances.