Sunday, 6 September 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 6 September 2026

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Namibian press · Person

Mbanga Siyomunji

Also known as: Mbaga Siyomunji

2023-05-102026-09-06

What’s been said

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

July 2023
6 JulThe Namibian
Mbanga Siyomunji asked to have three state witnesses recalled for cross-examination on Monday
Source
“Gotlieb's current defence lawyer, Mbanga Siyomunji, asked to have the witnesses recalled on Monday.”
No recall of witnesses in Walvis Bay house robbery trial

Politics

Murder accused claims police never explained constitutional rights

The News

One of three men accused of robbing and murdering a Windhoek resident at Avis Dam in July 2020 claims police never informed him of his constitutional rights from arrest in November 2020 until now, though the detective who questioned him disputes this, testifying he did explain the right to silence, legal representation, and legal aid before the accused agreed to make a statement.

5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Murder accused claims police never explained constitutional rights
One of three men accused of robbing and murdering a Windhoek resident at Avis Dam in July 2020 claims police never informed him of his constitutional rights from arrest in November 2020 until now, though the detective who questioned him disputes this, testifying he did explain the right to silence, legal representation, and legal aid before the accused agreed to make a statement.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 July

Accountant jailed 12 years for N$4.48 million Komatsu fraud
Tulihaleni Nghihalwa was convicted of 75 fraud charges and 24 money laundering counts for defrauding Komatsu Namibia of N$4.48 million through false invoices between 2014 and 2016, and received an effective 12-year prison sentence; three co-accused including her siblings were also convicted on money laundering charges.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 1 June

Woman sentenced to 35 years for murdering two in Windhoek house fire
Mecthilde Karomo was sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment after being convicted of murdering her boyfriend Leonard Haupindi and Anastasia Matende by setting Haupindi's house on fire in Okahandja Park, Windhoek on 26 December 2022. The judge noted Karomo acted with "utter indifference" after starting the deadly blaze, driven by anger and jealousy.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

Woman convicted of arson murders faces sentencing decision
Mecthilde Karomo (34), convicted of murdering two people who died in a Windhoek house fire in December 2022, is awaiting sentencing. The prosecutor recommended life imprisonment or a minimum of 30 years per count, while the defence proposed 16 years per murder count plus 4 years for arson, with some sentences to run concurrently.
20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

Woman convicted of murdering two people in December 2022 arson
Mecthilde Karomo was found guilty on two murder charges and arson after setting fire to her boyfriend's house in Windhoek on 26 December 2022, killing Leonard Haupindi and Annastasia Matende. The judge found that Karomo, triggered by jealousy over Haupindi's new girlfriend, foresaw the possibility of death when she set the fire knowing they were inside or likely to be inside.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

Fishrot trial should proceed despite ongoing appeals, defence argues
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 →

Thursday 16 April

Fishrot trial postponed as recusal application stays proceedings
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 →

Thursday 9 April

Murder accused's confession statement read in child death trial
A warning statement from Edward Nkata, accused of murdering nine-year-old Akundaishe Natalie Chipomho in 2020, was read in Windhoek High Court, in which he claims he kicked the child during a confrontation and that she died the next day, after which he and his wife dumped and burned her body in a municipal skip container. Nkata and his wife Caroline, along with the child's mother Rachel Kureva, face charges including murder, violating a dead body, and related offences.
9 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 30 March

High Court overturns bail refusal in Namcor fraud case
Windhoek High Court judges found that a magistrate misdirected himself in refusing bail to six individuals accused in a purported N$400 million fraud at Namcor, citing selective assessment of evidence and failure to consider individualised circumstances and mitigating bail conditions. The six appellants—Peter and Malakia Elindi, Immanuel Mulunga, Olivia Dunaiski, Leo Nandago, and Jennifer Hamukwaya—were granted bail ranging from N$20,000 to N$50,000, subject to travel restrictions and regular reporting requirements.
30 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 March

Witness describes alleged abuse at Nkata residence where child died
A neighbour testified in the trial of three accused of killing nine-year-old Akundaishe Natalie Chipomho that she witnessed aggressive beatings of children at the Nkata residence in Windhoek. The witness said she observed one child being hit with a belt and heard screaming that sounded like fear coming from the house, supporting State allegations that the accused kicked and beat the girl with objects, leaving her dead in a garage before her body was disposed of.
27 March 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 March

Defence urges acquittal in arson murder trial
The defence in the trial of Mechtilde Karomo, accused of setting her lover and his girlfriend alight in a fire in Okahandja Park on 26 December 2022, has urged the Windhoek High Court to acquit her of murder and arson charges, arguing the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that her confession was obtained under duress and in violation of procedural requirements.
26 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

Namibia's justice system evolves 36 years after independence
Namibia's judicial system has transformed from a racially discriminatory colonial and apartheid-era instrument into a constitutional democracy grounded in the rule of law and equal protection. Since independence in 1990, reforms including the Bill of Rights, Legal Aid Directorate, and increased Namibianisation of judicial leadership have significantly broadened access to justice for all citizens.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Namcor fraud trial postponed to April 2026 for plea hearing
Magistrate Olga Maharukua postponed the fraud, money laundering, and corruption trial involving the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia to 21 April 2026 for a Section 119 plea hearing. The state prosecutor requested additional time to complete investigations, amend charges, and resolve tax evasion issues with NamRA, though defence lawyers opposed the postponement, arguing investigations should have been finalised at a previous remand.
20 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 12 March

Woman denies arson in deaths of ex-boyfriend, his girlfriend
Iuze Mukube Mecthilde Karomo denies setting fire to a Windhoek shack in December 2022 that killed her ex-lover Leonard Haupindi Kadubuli and his girlfriend Anastasia Ihemba Matende. Testifying before the High Court, Karomo acknowledged a confrontation with Kadubuli the day before the fire but disputed threatening to burn the house and said she only learned of the deadly fire after hearing shouts from outside.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
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

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

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

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

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 →
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

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

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 →