Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
Windhoek Observer
Justice and Labour Relations minister Fillemon Wise ImmanuelgaveJudiciary month of May for housekeeping
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“Justice and Labour Relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel had earlier given the Judiciary the month of May for "housekeeping", warning that otherwise, the Act would commence without the necessary court procedures in place.”
Fillemon Wise Immanueldescribed the Legal Hub asa dynamic tool designed to bridge the gap between policy and implementation
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“Also speaking at the launch, the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, described the Legal Hub as a dynamic tool designed to bridge the gap between policy and implementation.”
Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuelmotivated the budget by statingallocation reflects government commitment to strengthening justice system
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“Immanuel stated that the allocation reflects the government's ongoing commitment to strengthening the justice system, enhancing court capacity, and ensuring the efficient administration of justice in line with constitutional obligations.”
Immanuelcautioned companies againstunfair labour practices
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“Meanwhile, Immanuel cautioned companies against unfair labour practices, urging employers to communicate proactively with workers before terminating contracts.”
Fillemon Wise Immanuelis Minister ofJustice and Labour Relations
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“Five times, the group met with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, whom Kambinda thanked for his efforts in the matter, which he stressed should not have taken so long to resolve.”
Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuelmet withat least four fishing companies to discuss the Government Employment Redress Programme
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“MINISTERS Inge Zaamwani and Fillemon Wise Immanuel of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and Justice and Labour respectively, have recently met with at least four fishing companies to discuss the Government Employment Redress Programme to reintegrate workers into the fishing industry following recent job losses at Walu Fishing.”
Labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanueldirectedgovernment ministries to verify compliance with minimum wage laws
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“labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has directed all government ministries to verify that every state-contracted service provider complies with minimum wage laws.”
Fillemon Wise Immanuelstatedpaying below prescribed wage violates the Labour Act
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“He was unequivocal that paying below the prescribed wage violates the Labour Act, undermines workers' dignity and affects the government's integrity as a procuring entity.”
Justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuelsaid the situation has been communicated to the Treasuryregarding depleted legal aid budgets
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“Aware On the depleted budgets, especially for the legal aid department, justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said the situation has been communicated to the Treasury.”
Namibia's Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024 took effect on 3 June 2026, replacing fault-based divorce grounds (adultery, cruelty, desertion) with a single ground of "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." The reform also empowers Magistrate Courts to grant divorces for the first time, and seeks to reduce hostility and simplify procedures.
Why it matters
No-fault divorce law took effect today, modernising Namibian family law and expanding magistrate court jurisdiction.
Namibia's Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024 took effect on 3 June 2026, replacing fault-based divorce grounds (adultery, cruelty, desertion) with a single ground of "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." The reform also empowers Magistrate Courts to grant divorces for the first time, and seeks to reduce hostility and simplify procedures.
A Windhoek resident submitted a 161-page dossier to the Security Commission in April 2025 requesting President Nandi-Ndaitwah remove inspector general Joseph Shikongo from office, alleging corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions. Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general, though the president did not publicly state reasons for the suspension.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Namibian workers to take initiative in improving their skills through available learning opportunities, including online courses, and stressed that capacity building has no age limit. She said the 2026 International Workers' Day theme on continuous in-service training highlights the need for a skill-driven workforce to ensure productivity and economic growth, and called for cooperation between workers and employers.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched the Namibia Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme Legal Hub, a website providing public access to statutory and legal instruments relating to natural resource management. The hub was funded by the French Government through the French Development Agency, with co-funding from the German Government through GIZ.
The government has allocated N$512 million to the Office of the Judiciary for the 2026/2027 financial year, with N$497 million for operations and N$15 million for development projects including construction of magistrates' courts in Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo. The allocation reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the justice system and expanding court capacity in underserved areas.
Swapo parliamentarian Hilma Iita has tabled a motion proposing 75% partial legal aid for middle-income earners, arguing the current N$7,000 monthly income threshold leaves workers unable to afford private lawyers while earning too much to qualify for free aid. Justice minister Yvonne Dausab had previously indicated plans to raise the threshold to N$10,000 and consider case complexity, but Iita stressed the law remains unchanged and is outdated given current living costs.
The Namibian government is working to reintegrate 222 workers recently terminated from Walu Fishing through the Government Employment Redress Programme, placing them with four fishing companies under new employment agreements aligned with revised fishing quota allocations.
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namib Mills have concluded a wage deal ending a strike involving close to 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive back pay and bonuses this week, with improved benefits automatically implemented from 1 July 2026 without further negotiation.
The ministers of agriculture and labour met with four fishing companies to discuss reintegrating 222 workers who lost jobs at Walu Fishing through the Government Employment Redress Programme. Each participating company will receive an employment quota aligned with their workforce size, and the government emphasized its commitment to fair labour practices and zero tolerance for exploitation.
Namib Mills and the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have made meaningful progress in wage negotiations and reached broad agreement on substantive wage issues, but talks have stalled after the union introduced items outside the scope of the dispute. The industrial action, which began in January 2026 after months of failed negotiations, involved nearly 700 workers across multiple depots demanding higher wages, housing and transport allowances, and full December bonuses.
A security guard working for Amsteel Security Services says he and colleagues earn N$2,000 per month for 12-hour shifts without overtime pay, public holiday pay, or risk allowance, despite a government minimum wage of N$18 per hour effective January 2025. Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has directed all government ministries to verify that state-contracted service providers comply with minimum wage laws.
Memos from the Office of the Judiciary and Ministry of Justice confirm severe budget shortages: the legal aid travel budget is depleted and legal aid counsel must seek to postpone out-of-station hearings; magistrates are barred from travelling outside duty stations for cases between 15 March and 15 April. Chief Justice Peter Shivute warned that underfunding and staff shortages threaten judicial capacity, with civil judges' workload rising 60% despite fewer cases being filed.
Justice and Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel spent over N$22,000 from his own pocket to treat more than 100 ministry staff members to a kapana lunch in Katutura, describing it as an act of servant leadership and support for informal traders and the local economy. Vendors at Single Quarters reported significant sales boosts and expressed gratitude for the unusual visit by senior government officials.
Namibia's new Dissolution of Marriages Act, assented in October 2024, simplifies divorce procedures by replacing fault-based grounds with a single irretrievable-breakdown standard, while placing strong emphasis on children's rights and fair property division. The law requires courts to ensure proper custody, guardianship, and maintenance arrangements for children before granting divorce, and removes outdated mechanisms like restitution of conjugal rights.
Namib Mills and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union reached a partial agreement on wages after a three-week strike involving over 95% of workers, with the minister's mediation securing agreement on yearly salary boosts, salary adjustments, and allowances; three issues remain unresolved.
A consultative meeting between fishing industry employers and workers in Walvis Bay grew tense when unrecognized unions complained their grievances were not heard. The Labour Advisory Council, tasked by the labour minister to probe alleged exploitation, heard complaints of wage discrepancies, excessive working hours without overtime, unauthorized salary deductions, and unequal pay—though employers disputed several allegations, citing contracts and the seasonal nature of the sector.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare held meetings with delegations from Iran, Egypt and Indonesia, focusing on trade and bilateral cooperation. Areas of discussion included youth empowerment and skills development with Iran; green hydrogen, renewable energy, and agriculture with Egypt; and agriculture, commerce, education and fisheries with Indonesia.