Namibian body responsible for appointing judges to the High Court and other judicial positions, including foreign judges on fixed-term contracts to address civil case backlogs.
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June 2026
Informanté
Judicial Service Commissionannouncedappointment of Justice Dr Michael Charles Mtambo as Acting Judge of High Court for three years, effective 1 June 2026
Source
“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.”
Judicial Service CommissionextendedMartha Imalwa's contract by one additional year
Source
“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.”
Judicial Service Commissionstatedappointment of three non-Namibian judges is intended as temporary measure
Source
“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.”
Judicial Service Commissiondecided to recruitlimited number of foreign judges on fixed-term contracts for High Court civil stream
Source
“THE Judicial Service Commission has explained that it decided to recruit a limited number of foreign judges on fixed-term contracts to serve in the civil stream of the High Court of Namibia in an effort to reduce case backlogs.”
Judicial Service Commissiondecided to recruitqualified retired or former judges from southern African jurisdictions on fixed-term contracts
Source
“The appointments follow the Judicial Service Commission's decision to recruit a limited number of qualified retired or former judges from comparable southern African jurisdictions on fixed-term contracts to assist in the civil stream of the High Court of Namibia.”
Judicial Service Commissionis reviewingexisting framework to enhance attractiveness of judicial service
Source
“He reassured magistrates that the Judicial Service Commission, as the body mandated to make recommendations on judges' remuneration and conditions of service, is reviewing the existing framework to enhance the attractiveness of judicial service.”
The Judicial Service Commissioncomprisesthe chief justice, deputy chief justice, attorney general and two legal profession members
Source
“The president appoints permanent judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) which comprises the chief justice, the deputy chief justice, the attorney general and two members of the legal profession nominated by professional organisations representing the legal profession.”
Judicial Service Commissionhas embracedconstructive criticism by having public interviews for selecting judges
Source
“The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) must be applauded for embracing constructive criticism by having public interviews when it comes to selecting judges.”
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.
Why it matters
High Court judicial appointment is a significant constitutional and institutional development affecting Namibia's legal system and governance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.