Also known as: JSC
Judicial Service Commission — body responsible for appointing Namibian judges and prosecutors, recently restarted recruitment for prosecutor general after all eight candidates failed assessment.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Judicial Service Commission is setting examinations for candidates
“We are now witnessing the JSC setting examinations for candidates, with all candidates failing the examination.”
On the Appointment of a Prosecutor GeneralThe Namibian
Judicial Service Commission announced that search for successor to Martha Imalwa would start afresh after all previous eight shortlisted candidates failed the written assessment
“This week the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) announced the search for Imalwa's successor would start afresh after all previous eight shortlisted candidates failed the written assessment, with the highest score being 49%.”
Editorial: Betrayal of the TechnocratsThe Namibian
Judicial Service Commission announced it will restart recruitment process for substantive prosecutor general
“This comes amid the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) this week announcing it will restart the recruitment process for a substantive prosecutor general (PG) after none of the eight shortlisted candidates met the required standard in a written assessment.”
Imalwa set to exit as PG as JSC restarts recruitment processWindhoek Observer
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has initiated the recruitment process for Prosecutor-General
“It is encouraging that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has already initiated the recruitment process and that reports indicate the field of candidates includes highly experienced legal practitioners.”
Complete the prosecutor-general appointment without delayWindhoek Observer
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) revealed that the highest score among applicants was 49% out of 100 marks, with lowest at 30%
“In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commission revealed that the highest score among the applicants was just 49%, with the lowest at 30% out of a possible 100 marks.”
PG recruitment hits dead end as eight candidates fail written testWindhoek Observer
The JSC resolved not to advance any of the eight candidates to the public interview stage
“The JSC said it had resolved not to advance any of the eight candidates to the public interview stage, concluding that the results did not demonstrate the requisite standard of legal knowledge and competence.”
PG recruitment hits dead end as eight candidates fail written testThe Namibian
Judicial Service Commission concluded that none of the eight candidates met the required standard
“After reviewing the results, the commission concluded that none of the candidates met the required standard.”
No one makes the cut in PG race – JSCInformanté
Judicial Service Commission announced appointment of Justice Dr Michael Charles Mtambo as Acting Judge of High Court for three years, effective 1 June 2026
“THE Judicial Service Commission has announced the appointment of Justice Dr Michael Charles Mtambo as an Acting Judge of the High Court for a period of three years, effective from 1 June 2026.”
Dr Mtambo appointed as Acting High Court JudgeThe Namibian
Judicial Service Commission extended Martha Imalwa's contract by one additional year
“In December last year, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) announced it had extended Imalwa's contract by an additional year, allowing her to remain in position until December this year.”
Five shortlisted for PG positionThe Namibian
Judicial Service Commission stated appointment of three non-Namibian judges is intended as temporary measure
“The appointment of three non-Namibian judges for Namibia's High Court is intended to be a temporary measure to address a shortage of judges who handle civil cases in the court, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) says.”
Non-Namibian judges meant to ease pressure of civil casesAn opinion piece critiques the Judicial Service Commission's process for appointing a prosecutor general, noting that all eight candidates failed the examination and raising concerns about the selection process's credibility, the justice system's slowness, and the need for candidates with management skills and demonstrated impartiality.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece critiques the Judicial Service Commission's process for appointing a prosecutor general, noting that all eight candidates failed the examination and raising concerns about the selection process's credibility, the justice system's slowness, and the need for candidates with management skills and demonstrated impartiality.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian editorial argues that senior officials—advisers, executive directors, chief executives and civil servants—have a duty to speak truth to power and not remain silent to stay close to authority, citing the upcoming transitions of the prosecutor general and Anti-Corruption Commission director general.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Martha Imalwa, the acting prosecutor general, says she is looking forward to leaving office at the end of the year. The Judicial Service Commission has restarted recruitment for a substantive prosecutor general after none of the eight shortlisted candidates met the required standard in a written assessment.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial argues that the recruitment of Namibia's next Prosecutor-General following Advocate Martha Imalwa's departure at year-end is a test of the country's commitment to transparency and the rule of law, and that the Judicial Service Commission must complete the process in a timely and professional manner.
11 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Judicial Service Commission has abandoned its shortlisted candidates for Prosecutor-General after all eight failed a written assessment designed to test legal knowledge and analytical ability; the highest score was 49%, below the required 50% pass mark.
11 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Judicial Service Commission found that none of the eight shortlisted candidates for prosecutor general met the required standard in a written assessment, forcing the commission to restart the recruitment process. The candidates achieved scores between 30% and 49%, failing to demonstrate the level of legal knowledge and competency expected for the position.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Justice Dr Michael Charles Mtambo as an Acting Judge of the High Court for three years, effective from 1 June 2026. Dr Mtambo previously served as a Judge of the High Court of Malawi from 2007 to 2022, sitting in both the Commercial Division and the Constitutional Court.
5 June 2026 · Informanté →
Five legal professionals have been shortlisted for the position of prosecutor general as incumbent Martha Imalwa's tenure ends. The candidates include former deputy prosecutor general Taswald July, former prosecutor Salomon Kanyemba, chief prosecutor Lucious Matota, and deputy prosecutors general Henry Muhongo and Ruben Shileka.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
The Judicial Service Commission says it has appointed three judges from southern African countries to Namibia's High Court on fixed-term contracts to address a shortage of civil judges caused by retirements and the reluctance of senior legal practitioners to accept permanent positions. The commission states the measure is temporary while it develops domestic solutions, including a training programme for aspirant judges.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
Chief Justice Peter Shivute reported that average caseloads per civil judge jumped nearly 60% between 2024 and 2025 as judicial vacancies mounted, while Magistrates' Courts backlogs grew 11.5% to over 63,000 cases. The judiciary is exploring recruitment from SADC countries to address critical staffing gaps.
6 February 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Constitution and legislation establish multiple safeguards for judicial independence, including direct budget allocation to the judiciary, qualification requirements for judges, appointment through the Judicial Service Commission, removal protections, and ethical guidelines that prevent conflicts of interest and political interference.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →