The Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel, has motivated a budget of N$269.2 million for the operations of the Office of the Attorney General. 

He said the funding is not merely for administrative functions but a legal requirement to safeguard the Constitution and ensure that the government is legally represented at all times.

Immanuel added that the funds will support functions such as legal advisory services, civil litigation, and state prosecutions, as well as the transformation of the office into a fully independent institution.

"Mindful of the scope and the significance of the mandate of the office, it is imperative that this office be sufficiently resourced. The budget we are presenting is addressing these crucial aspects, especially the staff shortage that has been a challenge. For these reasons, we are aiming to ensure that the Office has the capacity it needs to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities effectively, and this is reflected in the allocation we are requesting."

He confirmed that the Cabinet has already approved the Office of the Attorney General's separation from the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations and that transitional arrangements are already in place.

Immanuel raised concerns about the limited number of state lawyers, saying the office often has no choice but to hire private legal experts at high cost due to staff shortages and limited salary ceilings.

"This is especially the case for specialised, complex, and urgent legal matters. These external legal services come at a significant cost, which further strains our resources. Addressing this challenge and ensuring the office is fully staffed and capable of handling these matters internally is critical for improving our efficiency and reducing dependence on external legal services."

Of the total allocation, N$129.3 million will go to the Office of the Prosecutor General for criminal prosecutions. 

Civil litigation services will receive N$72.6 million, which includes N$45 million to cover legal fees. 

The rest will support advisory and support directorates.

Immanuel called on parliament to endorse the budget, saying it will strengthen constitutional governance and ensure legal protection for the government in all matters.