Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Joas Neemwatya filed a notice for leave to appeal that did not comply with requirements set out in the Criminal Procedure Act
“Shuudifonya's application to be allowed to appeal against a ruling that acting judge Marilize du Plessis delivered in January was struck off the roll after Du Plessis found that a notice for leave to appeal filed by Shuudifonya's defence lawyer, Joas Neemwatya, did not comply with requirements set out in the Criminal Procedure Act.”
Fishrot case appeal attempt failsNew Era
Joas Neemwatya stated that the application's dismissal is a victory for the veterans
“The veterans' lawyer, Joas Neemwatya, stated that although the legal standing of Swapo on the pavement ownership was not pronounced, it is still a victory for the veterans for the application's dismissal.”
Ex-combats secure victory in eviction applicationThe Namibian
Defence lawyer Joas Neemwatya indicated he is not aligning himself with Gebhardt's request
“Fellow defence lawyer Joas Neemwatya, who is representing Otneel Shuudifonya, indicated he is not aligning himself with Gebhardt's request.”
Fishrot accused asks for trial to proceedThe Namibian
Joas Neemwatya intends to appeal Du Plessis's ruling on the postponement application
“One of the defence lawyers involved in the case, Joas Neemwatya, who is representing Otneel Shuudifonya, has informed the court that he intends to appeal against Du Plessis's ruling on the postponement application.”
Judge Du Plessis dismisses attempt to get her off Fishrot caseNew Era
Joas Neemwatya represented the accused Narib
“Narib was represented by Joas Neemwatya and the State by Deputy Prosecutor General Antonia Verhoef.”
‘Father to monster’ …stepson killer gets 30-year sentenceThe Namibian
Joas Neemwatya raised a complaint about insufficient consultation room availability at the facility
“defence lawyer Joas Neemwatya, who is representing Otneel Shuudifonya, raised a complaint about the availability of consultation rooms at Windhoek Correctional Facility, where nine of the accused in the case are held in custody.”
Gustavo opposes Shanghala's Fishrot judge recusal attemptInformanté
Joas Neemwatya served as lawyer for convicted murderer Riddick /Narib
“IN COURT: Murder convicted, Riddick /Narib stands next to his lawyer, Joas Neemwatya, in court.”
“It’s too late, I took your son’s life” – /NaribInformanté
Joas Neemwatya requested that matter be postponed six months to review 165,000 pages
“As a result, Neemwatya requested that the matter be postponed for another six months to allow him sufficient time to go through the record, as he would not be willing to forgo other paying jobs.”
Shanghala tears into prosecutors’ fees, raises issues of fair trialAn appeal filed by Fishrot accused Otneel Shuudifonya against a postponement ruling was struck off the High Court roll at Windhoek Correctional Facility after the acting judge found his notice for leave to appeal did not comply with Criminal Procedure Act requirements.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
An appeal filed by Fishrot accused Otneel Shuudifonya against a postponement ruling was struck off the High Court roll at Windhoek Correctional Facility after the acting judge found his notice for leave to appeal did not comply with Criminal Procedure Act requirements.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Windhoek High Court has struck Swapo's urgent application to evict a group of people camping at the party's national headquarters since October last year off the court roll, with the judge finding it did not meet the requirements for an urgent hearing. The group, led by Matheus Nangolo, are demanding clarification about funds allegedly provided by the United Nations for the repatriation of Namibian exiles in 1989.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Windhoek High Court Judge Gabriel Komboni dismissed Swapo's urgent application to evict war veterans camping at its headquarters, ruling the application lacked urgency. The veterans, who have occupied the site since October 2025, are demanding payment of benefits from the 1989 liberation struggle that they say remains unresolved.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
A defence lawyer representing one of ten accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial has argued to the High Court that proceedings should continue while appeals against earlier rulings are pursued, citing delays since 2021 and the constitutional right to trial within a reasonable period. Other defence lawyers largely supported the argument, though one disagreed, and the judge is scheduled to hear further oral arguments on 24 April.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Fishrot case has been postponed to 24 April 2026 as former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala pursues leave to appeal a ruling dismissing his request for Judge Marelize du Plessis to recuse herself. Ricardo Gustavo's lawyer argues the repeated delays infringe the accused's right to a speedy trial and violate constitutional rights.
16 April 2026 · New Era →
Proceedings in the high-profile corruption trial of former justice minister Sacky Shanghala and others have stalled over a disagreement about which of two competing appeals applications should be heard first—a recusal challenge or a stay-of-proceedings request. The court has adjourned until 5 May 2026 to resolve the procedural impasse.
14 April 2026 · New Era →
Acting judge Marilize du Plessis rejected an application by two accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case to recuse herself, finding that her factual observations about trial delays did not demonstrate bias and that her acquaintance with two state witnesses would not affect her impartiality.
24 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A Windhoek magistrate has transferred the bail application of two suspects charged with the murder of Ondangwa Prosecutor Justine Shiweda to the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court, rejecting defence requests to withdraw charges despite similar charges being pursued in Ondangwa. A third accused police officer facing graft charges will have his case separated and return to court in March 2026.
6 March 2026 · Informanté →
Riddick Narib was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the brutal murder of his five-year-old stepson Dantali Eiseb in Walvis Bay in January 2023. Narib admitted to repeatedly striking the boy with a brick and cutting him with a knife, and told the court he committed the act to hurt the boy's mother, with whom he was in a failed marriage.
23 February 2026 · The Namibian →
A 33-year-old Walvis Bay resident was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment by High Court Judge Naomi Shivute for the brutal assault and killing of his five-year-old stepson in January 2023. Judge Shivute said the accused, who suspected the boy's mother of infidelity, had no right to commit murder and noted his subsequent torment of the mother through text messages compounded the crime.
20 February 2026 · New Era →
Ricardo Gustavo's legal team says they will "oppose vehemently" an application by former attorney general Sacky Shanghala and co-accused James Hatuikulipi to have High Court judge Marilize du Plessis step down from the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial. Shanghala claims Du Plessis showed bias through remarks suggesting the accused were using delaying tactics, but the state is also opposing the recusal application, with arguments scheduled for 9 March.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Riddick Melchior /Narib has been found guilty of murdering five-year-old Dantali Wilfried Eiseb on 6 January 2023, after assaulting the child with a brick in the dunes of Narraville and burying him in a shallow grave. /Narib pleaded guilty to murder and to defeating the course of justice, and was convicted by High Court Judge Naomi Shivute.
29 January 2026 · Informanté →
Former Justice Minister Sackeus Shanghala has criticized the state's decision to pay prosecutors N$1.5 million in the Fishrot corruption case while denying similar funding to defence counsel, arguing it violates fair trial principles and creates unequal arms between prosecution and defence. The High Court has postponed the matter to 21 January 2026 for a ruling on the remuneration dispute and whether the trial should be postponed.
21 January 2026 · Informanté →