Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Mbanga Siyomunji

Also known as: Siyomunji · Mbaga Siyomunji

Society

Woman denies murder and arson in deadly Windhoek house fire trial

The News

Mecthilde Karomo, accused of starting a fire in December 2022 that killed two people in Okahandja Park, Windhoek, testified that she was sleeping in her own house when the blaze occurred and denied setting the fatal fire. She disputed prosecution witnesses' claims that she confessed to the arson after a dispute with her then-boyfriend Leonard Haupindi.

12 March 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 12 March

  1. Woman denies murder and arson in deadly Windhoek house fire trial

    Mecthilde Karomo, accused of starting a fire in December 2022 that killed two people in Okahandja Park, Windhoek, testified that she was sleeping in her own house when the blaze occurred and denied setting the fatal fire. She disputed prosecution witnesses' claims that she confessed to the arson after a dispute with her then-boyfriend Leonard Haupindi.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Fraud suspect in N$3.9m council tender case remanded in custody

    Titus Iipumbu was remanded in custody after appearing in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on fraud, forgery and corruption charges linked to an alleged N$3.9 million misdirected payment by the ||Kharas Regional Council to a company owned by Iipumbu in October 2024. The state argues he poses a flight risk and may interfere with investigations; his mother and co-accused Lucia Jakob were each granted N$50,000 bail.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Namibian Constitution at 36: Legal Experts Reflect on Gaps

    Namibia's Constitution, enacted in 1990 and globally recognized as one of the best, is celebrated annually on 9 February. Legal professionals interviewed by New Era praised its role in protecting democratic rights and the rule of law, but also highlighted significant challenges: weak operation of lower courts, inadequate security for prosecutors and judicial staff, and a failure to address poverty and inequality affecting much of the population.

    10 February 2026 · New Era

Monday 9 February

  1. Murder trial halted by dispute over police brutality claims

    Three men accused of murdering businessman Daniele Ferrari in 2020 claim their confessions were coerced through torture and beatings. A trial within a trial has begun to determine whether the accused were subject to police brutality that rendered their statements inadmissible.

    9 February 2026 · New Era

Thursday 5 February

  1. Namibian legal year opens with focus on reform and safety

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened Namibia's legal year at the Supreme Court today, marking the start of a year the justice ministry hopes will bring meaningful reform, improved efficiency, and strengthened public confidence. The judiciary has established a Safety and Security Task Force to address concerns following recent attacks on prosecutors, while legal professionals advocate for plea bargaining reforms and amendments to obsolete laws.

    5 February 2026 · New Era

  2. Windhoek murder trial: accused allege police torture

    Two men accused of robbing and murdering a Windhoek resident at Avis Dam in 2020 are disputing that they made confessions freely and voluntarily, alleging they were assaulted by police and instructed what to say. A judge has begun hearing testimony to determine the admissibility of evidence the prosecution wants to present.

    5 February 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Murder trial enters disputes over police conduct and confession validity

    Three men accused of killing businessman Daniele Ferrari in July 2020 are claiming police brutality, torture, and that their confessions were made under duress and without proper legal warnings. The trial has moved into a trial-within-a-trial as defense lawyers contest the admissibility of the confessions and crime scene evidence, while police maintain the confessions were obtained without coercion.

    4 February 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 15 January

  1. Hamukwaya appeals bail denial, argues lack of personal bank evidence

    Jennifer Hamukwaya, arrested in a fraud and money laundering case linked to state-owned Namcor, is appealing her bail denial in the High Court, with her lawyer arguing that the magistrate relied on hearsay and speculation despite no funds being deposited into her personal bank account from the alleged N$1.4 million in question.

    15 January 2026 · Informanté

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