The 2020/21 National Budget allocated K1.3 billion to the National Audit Office, a sum that is lower than the K1.6 billion that the budget released for the office during the 2019/20 national budget. NAO has therefore said the low funding will affect investigations and audits.

The Budget, Finance and Public Accounts Cluster Committee co-chairperson Sosten Gwengwe said that the sum was not sufficient enough for NAO to operate. “They wanted K600 million more to carry out their job well. Oversight institutions should be properly funded as they bring in checks and balances.” said Gwengwe.

Acting Auditor General Thomas Makiwa presented its estimates for the 2020/21 fiscal year to the Budget, Finance and Public Accounts Cluster Committee for analysis, when he outlined that what was allocated to the office is lower than what they planned for.