THE Judiciary paid over K2 million in form of salaries and allowances to 74 employees who were no longer working for the institution, says the latest Auditor General’s Report.

According to the Auditor General’s Report on the Accounts of Parastatal Bodies and other statutory institutions for the financial year ended December 31, 2018, this payment was contrary to terms and conditions of service for the public sector which required that such employees were to be removed from the payroll with effect from the date of resignation, dismissal or discharge.

“A review of personal files and other documents revealed that 74 officers in various stations, who had either resigned or dismissed and whose contracts were terminated, were paid basic salaries and other allowances in amounts totalling K2,120,330 as at 31st December, 2018. This was contrary to terms and conditions of service for the public service, which requires that such employees are terminated from the payroll with effect from the date of resignation, dismissal or discharge. As at 31st December, 2019, the irregularly paid amounts had not been recovered leading to possible loss of public funds,” read the report.

“Contrary to Public Service Management Division Circular No. B21 of 2018, Section 5, allowances in amounts totalling K1,172,300 were paid to 115 retirees during the financial year ended 31st December, 2018, who were retained on government payroll. As at 31st December, 2019, the allowances had not been recovered.”

The Report also revealed that the Judiciary paid 73 officers amounts totalling K447,693 in terms of hardship allowances, which they were not entitled to.

“Contrary to Public Service Management Division Circular No. B2 of 2010 and the Public Service Terms and Conditions of Service, 73 officers were paid remote and rural hardship allowances in amounts totalling K447,693 despite not being entitled to the allowances. This resulted in loss of funds to government by paying allowances to officers who were not entitled,” read the Report.

It equally revealed that the Judiciary further processed 77 payment vouchers in amounts totalling K230,584, which were not supported with any official documentation.

“Contrary to Financial Regulation Nos. 45 and 52, 77 payment vouchers in amounts totalling K230,584 processed at four stations during the period under review were not supported with documentation, such as receipts, invoices and Local Purchase Orders,” read the Report.

It further disclosed that the Judiciary also had an infrastructure deficit of 510 court rooms and 1,781 judges’ chambers.

“According to the establishment, the Judiciary was supposed to have 1,157 court rooms and 3,505 judges’ chambers countrywide. However, it was observed that the Judiciary only had a total of 647 court rooms and 1,724 judges’ chambers, resulting in a total deficit of 510 and 1,781 court rooms and judges’ chambers, respectively,” read the report.

“During the period under review, the Judiciary had a total of 529 local courts across the country out of which 123 were not operational as they were either dilapidated or lacked water reticulation or sanitation.”