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June 2026
The Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relationssays the commission failed to publish annual reports due tobudget constraints, staffing shortages and software system collapse
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“Approached for comment the custodian of EEC, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says the commission failed to publish its annual reports due to budget constraints, staffing shortages and the collapse of its case management software system.”
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relationsacknowledgeschild labour remains a serious concern in agriculture and domestic work
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“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations acknowledges that child labour remains a serious concern, particularly in agriculture and domestic work, sectors closely linked to poverty, food insecurity and household vulnerability.”
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relationsis mandated to covercompensation for all government employees who sustain injuries
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“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, through the department of labour relations, is mandated to cover compensation for all government employees who sustain injuries.”
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relationswas referredcompensation claims of 252 former Samherji employees
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“The fisheries ministry has referred the compensation claims of 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations while citing existing government redress efforts.”
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relationsdirected legal aid counsel to arrange postponement of hearingsoutside duty stations due to depleted travel and subsistence budget
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“In its memo addressed to acting chief of legal aid Brownwell Eirab, the ministry directed that all legal aid counsel who have matters set down for hearing outside their duty stations must make timely arrangements to have the hearings postponed.”
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relationsconfirmed it will coverall medical expenses of Justine Shiweda
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“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has confirmed it will cover all medical expenses of Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who died following a brutal attack while on duty.”
Namibia has welcomed the International Labour Organization's adoption of a Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, which establishes global labour standards for gig workers and addresses challenges including unfair pay, lack of social protection, unsafe conditions, and algorithmic management. The deputy executive director representing Africa praised the negotiations as demonstrating what dialogue and tripartism could achieve.
Namibia has welcomed the International Labour Organization's adoption of a Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, which establishes global labour standards for gig workers and addresses challenges including unfair pay, lack of social protection, unsafe conditions, and algorithmic management. The deputy executive director representing Africa praised the negotiations as demonstrating what dialogue and tripartism could achieve.
The Employment Equity Commission has not published its annual reports since 2019, violating legal requirements. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations attributes this to budget constraints, staffing shortages, and software failures, but unions say the failure reflects incompetence and undermines monitoring of employment discrimination.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations reports that child labour remains a serious concern in Namibia, particularly in agriculture and domestic work linked to poverty and food insecurity. The ministry recorded two cases during the financial year involving a cattle herder and domestic worker, both arrested and the children reunited with their families.
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta), deregistered in 2024 for failing to submit its annual return, has now submitted the return which is under review, and plans to relaunch with a digital platform to formalise and improve transport safety and accountability.
Retired civil servant Manfred Menjengua says arbitrators employed by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations cannot view public service labour disputes objectively and automatically favour the government. He also raises concerns about workplace mistreatment of union activists, gender-based harassment limiting women's promotion, and poor recruitment practices based on political affiliation rather than merit.
Eva Maria Nangolo, a lawyer employed by the Directorate of Legal Aid, was remanded in custody after appearing in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on charges of theft and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. She is accused of stealing items valued at N$3,920 from a Dis-Chem store and refusing to open her car during a police investigation.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations said it is handling one formal case of unpaid wages at Omhalanga Mills, with a hearing set for 29 April 2026, while several other employees have sought advice but not filed formal complaints. Workers claim they have not been paid for seven months.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has ordered civil servants to reapply for Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme benefits by end of August following reforms to the scheme's operations. Trade unions have criticized the lack of consultation and warned that reported increases in medical aid contributions could severely impact civil servants' finances.
Political analysts have questioned President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment of seven deputy ministers, arguing the move contradicts her cost-cutting agenda and duplicates administrative roles rather than improving service delivery. Supporters counter that merged ministries require deputy ministers for parliamentary accountability, though critics contend the appointments reward campaign loyalists rather than serve governance needs.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.
The government has paid N$4.9 million to 258 civil servants who sustained injuries or contracted occupational diseases during the 2025/26 financial year, with compensation including medical expenses and pensions under the Employee Compensation Act, 1941. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare disclosed this while tabling the labour budget of N$231 million for 2026/27.
Medical experts and legal analysts warn that Namibia lacks laws regulating surrogacy, creating risks of exploitation and trafficking, following a fraudulent advertisement offering N$800,000 to surrogates. While South Africa and Botswana have experience with regulated or unregulated surrogacy arrangements, Namibia's legal framework remains silent on the matter, leaving parties with no legal protection and prompting calls for amendments to the Child Care and Protection Act.
Namibia's delegation at the UN International Labour Organisation's governing body raised concerns that funding challenges, including a projected deficit of US$52.6 million by end of fiscal year 2024/25 and potential loss of 350 positions, could hamper the ILO's ability to execute its global mandate. The Executive Director of Namibia's Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations called on member states to honour financial obligations and warned that Namibia, which lacks its own ILO office and depends on technical support from South Africa, risks disproportionate impact from proposed cuts to travel and technical missions.
Cheetah Cement has notified the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations of its intent to retrench 87 employees by 15 April, citing financial losses, import restrictions, and a blocked merger. The notice is a declaration of intent subject to ongoing consultations with the ministry and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia, and the final number of retrenchments may change.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has referred compensation claims from 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, noting that affected workers were already considered under a government redress programme aimed at reintegrating them into the fishing industry following the company's 2019–2020 closure. Some former employees argue that placement at other companies does not fully address their financial losses.
Katima Mulilo residents and leaders are split on whether employing Zambian nationals for domestic work worsens the Zambezi region's 43.7% unemployment rate. While some argue locals are avoiding low-wage jobs and should support Namibian workers, others contend young Namibians are unwilling to take such positions, and the ministry says undocumented migrant workers fall outside labor protections.
Beifang Mining Technology Services, a foreign-invested mining services company operating in Namibia since 2013, reports N$2.2 billion in direct foreign investment, employs over 915 staff (93% Namibian), and spent N$712 million on local procurement in 2025. The company emphasizes its adherence to Namibian labour law, employee training and development, and safety standards in response to recent public discussions about shift operations exemptions.
Omaheke region held its inaugural Career Fair at Gobabis showgrounds, attracting about 1,500 learners from seven constituencies to explore education and career pathways. Education director Constance Wantenaar described the event as successful and a bridge between aspiration and opportunity, supported by universities, training institutions, banks, and government partners.
Beifang Mining Services dismissed 11 employees at Husab Uranium Mine following weeks of dispute over a new shift schedule that complied with labour ministry guidance but reduced days off from five to four. The workers' union and company have begun discussions on resolving the conflict, with Beifang indicating willingness to seek a fresh exemption application backed by union support.
Legal experts say engaging senior private practitioners to prosecute the Fishrot fraud case would cost the government at least N$6 million annually, far more than the state advocates currently handling it—though prosecutors benefit from job security and pension entitlements unavailable in private practice.
Memos from the Office of the Judiciary and Ministry of Justice confirm severe budget shortages: the legal aid travel budget is depleted and legal aid counsel must seek to postpone out-of-station hearings; magistrates are barred from travelling outside duty stations for cases between 15 March and 15 April. Chief Justice Peter Shivute warned that underfunding and staff shortages threaten judicial capacity, with civil judges' workload rising 60% despite fewer cases being filed.
The Trade Union Congress of Namibia warns it may pursue legal action against fishing companies including Gendev Fishing over workers' complaints of poor conditions, delayed salaries, and unsafe working environments. Workers across multiple fishing firms report delayed pay, inconsistent hours, lack of benefits, and inadequate protective equipment despite repeated attempts to resolve disputes with management.
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it will cover all medical expenses for prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who died in December 2025 following a brutal October attack in which she was shot five times and had acid thrown on her body. The Ondangwa regional control prosecutor spent four months in hospital before succumbing to complications from her injuries; one suspect, a medical doctor, has been charged with murder and conspiracy.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has opened condolence books at its head office and the Office of the Prosecutor General following the death of state prosecutor Justine Shiweda, with senior officials and staff honouring her service and legacy. The public is invited to pay tribute to the late prosecutor, whom colleagues described as a dedicated legal professional and a significant loss to the justice sector.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the Supreme Court on the opening of the 2026 legal year, emphasising the constitutional independence of the judiciary, its role in democratic governance, and the need to address challenges including case backlogs, judicial security concerns, and rising crime affecting the tourism sector.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations announces the death of regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda on Saturday, following injuries sustained in a heinous attack last October. The ministry pledges to work with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice and to enhance security measures for prosecutors and court officers.
Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, 30, died on Saturday from injuries sustained in an October 2024 attack in which she was shot and doused with corrosive acid at her home. The Ministry of Justice described the attack as an assault on the entire justice system, and six suspects have been arrested; the charge of attempted murder is expected to be amended to murder when the matter returns to court.
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has urged the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations to begin reparations for the family of late prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who died from injuries sustained in a shooting and acid attack in October last year. Amoomo called for compensation for Shiweda's children and warned that the death raises serious concerns about prosecutor safety.
Two high-profile state prosecutors leading the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial, Deputy Prosecutor General Ed Marondedze and State Prosecutor Cliff Lutibezi, threatened to resign over low pay and were subsequently granted a N$54,000 monthly salary increase. The salary increase has drawn criticism from some colleagues whose own pleas for raises have not been addressed, and from a former deputy prosecutor general who says the timing is problematic given the case's current stage.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will officially open the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament today under the theme "Enhancing the role of Parliament for inclusive development and participatory democracy." Key bills expected during 2026 sessions include amendments to petroleum exploration, land reform, mental health, regional councils, and income tax legislation.