Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema says children flagged in an auditor general’s report for receiving N$250 million in grants were eligible under certain conditions, including continued schooling beyond the age of 18.
The auditor general’s report for the 2024/25 financial year, as reported by The Namibian on Monday, found that 33 000 beneficiaries had wrongfully received grants totalling N$250 million.
She was responding to questions raised by Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian Inna Hengari on Tuesday.
Kantema said the ministry administers state grants for orphans and vulnerable children, generally payable to children aged between zero and 18.
However, the Child Care and Protection Act, Act 3 of 2015, allows children aged between 18 and 21 to qualify under certain conditions, including being in school.
“After 18, the Child Care and Protection Act, Act 3 of 2015, makes provision for a child between 18 and 21 to qualify under certain conditions. The child must be in school,” she said on Tuesday.
Kantema said the provision was intended to ensure children received support to complete their education.
She said the ministry was verifying beneficiaries and cleaning up its database. Those who failed to provide proof that they were still attending school had been removed from the system.
The exercise is intended to ensure that grants are paid only to beneficiaries who meet the eligibility requirements.
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