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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

High Court of Namibia

Also known as: The High Court of Namibia

Namibian superior court handling civil, commercial, and constitutional disputes including employment, environmental, and governance challenges.

2024-10-202026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. August 2026

  2. Windhoek Observer

    High Court of Namibia postponed legal battle over N$16 million claim to 10 September 2026

    Source

    “The High Court of Namibia has postponed a legal battle in which Shoprite Namibia (Pty) Ltd is seeking more than N$16 million from Amarula Investment CC, Gerome Meshawn Schmidt, Amalia Maxine Schmidt and SchmidtCo. Property Development Company (Pty) Ltd over outstanding financial obligations linked to an OK Foods franchise in Ongwediva.”

    Shoprite seeks more than N$16m from Ongwediva franchise operators

  3. New Era

    High Court of Namibia ruled in 2021 that NMP's operations could not proceed without a valid ECC

    Source

    “NMP then approached the High Court of Namibia, which in 2021 ruled that NMP's operations could not proceed because they lacked a valid ECC.”

    Industry enlists Namandje in anti-phosphate fight …our ocean isn’t for sale, says AR

  4. Windhoek Observer

    High Court of Namibia dismissed application challenging Namibian Police's warrantless search and seizure

    Source

    “The High Court of Namibia has dismissed an application by businessman Coenraad Barend Nolte Botha, CBI Exchange Namibia and two other applicants challenging the warrantless search and seizure of their property by the Namibian Police.”

    Court clears police search in N$163 million crypto fraud case
  5. July 2026

  6. Windhoek Observer

    High Court of Namibia is set to deliver judgment in damages case before Justice Orben Sibeya

    Source

    “The High Court of Namibia is set to deliver judgment in a case where a Windhoek family is seeking a combined N$1.35 million in damages from Medi-Clinic Swakopmund (Pty) Ltd and medical practitioner Dr Christoff Coetzee over the death of their wife and mother, Wilhelmina Van Straaten.”

    Family seeks N$1.35 million from Medi-Clinic Swakopmund

  7. The Namibian

    High Court of Namibia commented in a divorce case on fault-based grounds causing parties to reach for conceivable reasons to end marriage

    Source

    “This is evident from a comment by the High Court of Namibia, in a divorce case, while it was considering counter allegations between a husband and wife.”

    Namibia’s New Divorce Philosophy is Both Revolutionary and Overdue

  8. Windhoek Observer

    High Court of Namibia had settlement agreement filed in dispute between government and Farhad Nadimi

    Source

    “The settlement agreement, filed in the High Court of Namibia on Tuesday, will see the government pay Nadimi a revised amount of N$767,457.92, inclusive of VAT, together with interest calculated at 20 percent per annum from 28 February 2022 until the date of final payment.”

    Government settles N$900 000 engineer dispute
  9. June 2026

  10. Windhoek Observer

    High Court of Namibia ordered immediate reinstatement of two Keetmanshoop municipality management committee members removed through no-confidence vote

    Source

    “The High Court of Namibia has ordered the immediate reinstatement of two Keetmanshoop municipality management committee members who were removed through a vote of no confidence last month.”

    Court reinstates Keetmanshoop management committee members after no-confidence vote

  11. The Namibian

    High Court of Namibia is where divorce proceedings are instituted under the old divorce regime

    Source

    “Such divorce regime required that, for a marriage that was contracted in terms of the Marriage Act 25 of 1961 to be dissolved, spouses should plead grounds that give rise to the institution of divorce proceedings in the High Court of Namibia by pointing out faults or accusing the other partner of wrongdoing.”

    Pros, Cons, and the Reality of Namibia’s New Divorce Regime
  12. May 2026

  13. Windhoek Observer

    High Court of Namibia restored study rights for inmates at Windhoek Correctional Facility

    Source

    “The ruling by the High Court of Namibia restoring study rights for inmates at the Windhoek Correctional Facility is about far more than prison timetables.”

    Education, imprisonment and the rule of law
  14. April 2026

  15. New Era

    High Court of Namibia found State had not demonstrated sufficient grounds to justify continued detention in Namcor matter

    Source

    “In the Namcor matter, the courts found that the State had not demonstrated sufficient grounds to justify continued detention.”

    Opinion – Understanding Namcor, Fishrot outcomes
Politics

Zenobia Barry appointed acting FIC director from October

The News

The Financial Intelligence Centre has appointed Zenobia Barry as its acting director effective 1 October, following Bryan Eiseb's reassignment to director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission. Barry, currently general manager responsible for legal, policy and enforcement, brings 31 years of professional experience and expertise in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Zenobia Barry appointed acting FIC director from October

    The Financial Intelligence Centre has appointed Zenobia Barry as its acting director effective 1 October, following Bryan Eiseb's reassignment to director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission. Barry, currently general manager responsible for legal, policy and enforcement, brings 31 years of professional experience and expertise in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 21 August

  1. High Court postpones Shoprite's N$16m Ongwediva franchise dispute

    Shoprite Namibia is pursuing more than N$16 million from Amarula Investment CC and related parties over unpaid financial obligations tied to an OK Foods franchise in Ongwediva. The High Court postponed the case to 10 September 2026 pending an interlocutory ruling.

    21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Contractor sues Kambwa over alleged tender collaboration breakdown

    Sostenus Wilherm Kulla Trading Enterprises CC is seeking more than N$922,000 in alleged lost profits from Kambwa Construction, claiming it was excluded from work promised after Kambwa secured a Roads Authority of Namibia tender for upgrading 12 kilometres of DR3633 in the Omusati Region. The dispute centres on an alleged January 2023 collaboration agreement in which Kulla Trading's business profile would be included in Kambwa's bid and the company would be appointed as subcontractor for more than 10% of the project.

    12 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Amnesty International joins court challenge to genocide reparations agreement

    Amnesty International has filed court papers seeking to join litigation against a Joint Declaration between Namibian and German governments that would offer €1.1 billion in reparations for the 1904 and 1908 Nama/Ovaherero genocide, according to the Ovaherero Traditional Authority. The agreement, expected to be signed before year-end, is being challenged by traditional authorities and the Landless People's Movement who argue the compensation falls short of demands.

    12 August 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Fishing industry challenges phosphate project environmental clearance

    The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has enlisted lawyer Sisa Namandje to challenge the Environmental Clearance Certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, citing the Environmental Commissioner's lack of transparency and failure to address the industry's repeated concerns since 2022.

    11 August 2026 · New Era →

Friday 7 August

  1. High Court upholds warrantless police search in crypto fraud case

    The High Court of Namibia has dismissed a challenge to a warrantless search and seizure conducted by police at the Buitepos border post in March 2024, involving businessman Coenraad Barend Nolte Botha and others suspected of fraud involving N$163 million. Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the police were competent to investigate and that the seizure of electronic devices, financial records, and a cryptocurrency hardware wallet was lawful.

    7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 30 July

  1. Family seeks N$1.35 million in Medi-Clinic Swakopmund death damages

    The High Court of Namibia is to deliver judgment in a case in which a Windhoek family seeks N$1.35 million in combined damages from Medi-Clinic Swakopmund and Dr Christoff Coetzee over the 2018 death of Wilhelmina Van Straaten, whom they allege did not receive timely emergency intervention after presenting with severe symptoms following a knee arthroscopy.

    30 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 19 July

  1. Namibian divorce law reform reflects modern marriage realities

    An analysis argues that Namibia's new approach to divorce law aligns with historical legal traditions and contemporary social changes, drawing on examples from Roman law and recent English legal philosophy to support reforming divorce procedures.

    19 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 July

  1. Government settles engineer dispute over unpaid magistrate court fees

    The Government of Namibia has agreed to settle a long-running dispute with consulting engineer Farhad Nadimi over unpaid professional fees for the Katima Magistrate's Court construction, paying N$767,457.92 inclusive of VAT plus 20 percent annual interest from 28 February 2022, down from Nadimi's original claim of N$900,776.15.

    16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 10 July

  1. Amupanda seeks court order to halt ECN appointment vote

    Parliamentary leader Job Amupanda has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the National Assembly from approving Electoral Commission of Namibia nominees, arguing that lawmakers lack access to key selection documents needed for informed decision-making. He is demanding disclosure of interview minutes, scoresheets, the selection committee's recommendation, and the President's nomination, claiming the lack of records prevents lawmakers from exercising constitutional oversight.

    10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 26 June

  1. RCC faces High Court winding-up threat over N$5m debt

    The Roads Contractor Company is facing legal action from Dust Construction and Civils over a rejected lease-to-own equipment agreement, with a law firm demanding N$4,969,345.23 within 48 hours and threatening to apply for the company's provisional winding-up in the High Court. The action comes after Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi described RCC as "a mess" over its disclaimer audit opinion and payment failures.

    26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 19 June

  1. National Assembly passes Income Tax Amendment Bill 2025

    The National Assembly has passed the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2025, which replaces the current "special court" with a dedicated tax court operating as a division of the High Court to resolve income tax and VAT disputes. The tax court will provide taxpayers and the Namibia Revenue Agency with a more structured and efficient mechanism for resolving tax disputes.

    19 June 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Court halts Keetmanshoop council's removal of management committee members

    The High Court of Namibia has ordered the reinstatement of two Keetmanshoop municipality management committee members—Easter Isaak and Anneliza Knaus—who were removed through votes of no confidence in May and June, and has interdicted the municipality from implementing those resolutions pending the finalisation of the main application.

    18 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Namibia's 2024 divorce law replaces fault-based system with irretrievable breakdown

    The Dissolution of Marriage Act 10 of 2024, which came into operation on 3 June, repealed eight previous pieces of marriage legislation. The new law replaces the fault-based divorce system—which required spouses to prove grounds such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion—with a single ground: that the marriage is irretrievably broken down with no prospect of restoration, and requires mediation proceedings rather than adversarial litigation.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Uukolonkadhi chieftainship succession dispute escalates to High Court

    Johannes Asino has filed an urgent application in the High Court of Namibia to challenge the minister of urban and rural development's January decision recognising Malakia Shoombe as the new chief of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority, following the death of chief Daniel Shooya in October 2024. Asino claims he is the rightful successor, nominated by the late chief in 1996 and endorsed by the royal family, and alleges the minister's decision was unlawful and procedurally unfair.

    19 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Businessman Andreas sues Facebook users for defamation over posts

    Businessman Joseph Andreas has launched legal action against two Facebook users over posts published on 15 May, demanding public apologies, removal of the posts, and N$250 000 each in damages. The posts allegedly described Andreas as a "thug" and criminal, and claimed he had no legitimate business track record.

    19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. High Court restores study rights for Windhoek inmates

    Namibia's High Court has restored study rights for inmates at Windhoek Correctional Facility, setting aside restrictions that had reduced study hours from six to two per day and prohibited mixed-security study groups. Acting judge David Mangota's decision reaffirms that correctional administration operates within constitutional limits and that punishment does not constitute civil erasure.

    12 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 17 April

  1. Legal expert explains differing bail outcomes in Namcor, Fishrot cases

    According to legal researcher Brian Ngutjinazo, the contrasting bail decisions in the Namcor and Fishrot corruption cases reflect consistent application of Namibia's Criminal Procedure Act rather than inconsistency. In Namcor, courts found insufficient grounds for detention, while in Fishrot, evidence of alleged witness interference and the scale of organized corruption justified continued detention under the law's test of whether the interests of justice permit release.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Supreme Court upholds freeze on Fishrot corruption saga assets

    Namibia's Supreme Court has upheld a High Court order preventing those accused in the Fishrot corruption case from accessing forfeited assets, rejecting an appeal by former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo. The court found that the Anti-Corruption Commission had proper authority to conduct the investigation and that the restraint order remains valid pending the outcome of the criminal trial, which is scheduled to recommence in March 2026.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Ndateelela Shilongo-Alexander appointed government attorney

    The Office of the Attorney General has appointed Ndateelela Shilongo-Alexander as substantive government attorney, effective immediately. Shilongo-Alexander, a former director at law firm Sisa Namandje & Co., is an admitted High Court practitioner with over a decade of experience in civil litigation, labour law, administrative law and commercial law.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Gladice Pickering appointed acting High Court Judge

    Gladice Pickering was sworn in as an Acting Judge of the High Court on Monday, serving from 16 March to 30 June 2026. Her appointment requires temporary replacement in her role as executive director at the Office of the Prime Minister, with Shivute Indongo taking over the position.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 13 March

  1. GIPF seeks to recover N$18.6 million from former employee theft

    The Government Institutions Pension Fund is pursuing High Court action to freeze the pension funds of two former employees, Matin Eugen Smith and Vabiola Aoses, accused of embezzling N$18.6 million by altering banking details of inactive beneficiaries and channeling funds into over 50 accounts. GIPF estimates it may recover about N$8 million combined with a forfeiture order already obtained and an interdict to seize the employees' pension benefits totaling N$1.4 million.

    13 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. High Court recruiting foreign judges to ease civil case backlogs

    The Judicial Service Commission has decided to hire a limited number of foreign judges on fixed-term contracts to serve in the High Court's civil stream to reduce case backlogs. The Commission said the move became necessary because domestic candidates, particularly magistrates, lack the specialised expertise in civil law required for complex civil cases, and senior legal practitioners have been reluctant to accept permanent judicial positions.

    10 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Five new judges appointed to Namibia's High Court

    The Office of the Judiciary has appointed five judges to the High Court, including three from other southern African countries on temporary contracts to address capacity constraints in the civil stream. The appointments are part of a temporary measure while longer-term domestic solutions are pursued.

    10 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. First woman permanently appointed to Namibia Supreme Court

    Justice Esi Malaika Schimming-Chase has become the first woman to be permanently appointed as a judge to Namibia's Supreme Court, taking her oath of office at a ceremony administered by Chief Justice Peter Shivute. She assumes duties effective 1 March 2026, following a distinguished legal career spanning more than two decades.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 February

  1. Valentine's Day: celebration, disappointment, and self-care

    A column on Valentine's Day navigates the emotions of the weekend celebration—from anticipation to potential letdown—and urges readers to practice self-love regardless of romantic outcomes, noting that one day doesn't define one's worth or future relationships.

    14 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 January

  1. CRAN renews CEO Emilia Nghikembua's contract through 2030

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has renewed the contract of CEO Emilia Nghikembua for a second term running from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030, citing her exemplary leadership and outstanding performance during her first term. The CRAN board credits her with spearheading transformative reforms in Namibia's telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.

    6 January 2026 · New Era →

High Court of Namibia — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute