WINDHOEK, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's defence ministry has sent all members nearing retirement and those with genuine social problems that affect their morale and performance on compulsory leave effective Thursday.
A statement by the ministry said the move was in line with the government's call to save money and because of the budget cuts introduced about two years ago.
Finance minister Calle Schlettwein cut the defence ministry's budget from 5.9 billion Namibian dollars (about 500 million U.S. dollars) in 2016/2017 to 5.6 billion Namibian dollars in 2017/2018.
The statement also said there are indications that there may not be significant improvements in the budgetary allocations for 2018/2019 and might not be able to carry out all the planned activities.
As such, the statement further said, the defence ministry had to employ some measures and improvise where necessary to remain focused and ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
"Members with genuine social problems which affect their morale and performance are also considered," the statement said, adding that the decision would have no effect on the operations of the army.
