Social grants for adult beneficiaries over 18 have been axed after they failed to provide school attendance records.

Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Emma Kantema announced the cancellations in the National Assembly, noting that the ministry's new Integrated Social Assistance System is successfully eliminating system duplicates.

Dr. Kantema was responding to a question by PDM MP Inna Hengari, who questioned what measures the Ministry is taking to address the reported N$28.8 million in grant payments to beneficiaries over 18 and duplicate payments.

She also questioned when the national audit of social assistance programmes would be completed and its findings presented to parliament.

"Honourable Minister. One, of course, we know that there are those clauses in our laws and provisions that are allowed for this. I also know that in the audit finding, the Order General also alludes to duplicate payments. I want to find out that I know that you have an audit going on, but I do want to understand, one, what is it that you are doing to remedy the situation going forward?"

The Minister said a report on the verification process and other social assistance programmes would be provided, dismissing media reports suggesting that payments to beneficiaries over 18 were irregular.

"I mentioned that one of the reasons why we embarked on this verification is due to the audit query, and this is exactly what Now is in terms of duplication; it's just a result of when we still had the ISAS system, the social assistance system that would provide for multiple entries in terms of disability grants, and obviously grants, so these have been created as duplicates, but we have already commenced to transfer the system where we have improved. We have now moved to the ISaS system. ISaaS is an integrated social assistance system. This system then at least ensures that the beneficiary, which is the child, is then registered as the beneficiary before that it was the parent or the caretaker or the legal guardian. So with that, it will ensure that above 18 that is catered for, and at least going forward, we will not see those children who are not eligible at the end of the system."