Namibian Correctional Service — government agency managing prisoner custody, rehabilitation and reintegration, currently operating at approximately 30% required staffing.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
August 2026
The Namibian
Namibian Correctional Serviceinvestigated and foundno evidence to substantiate Ndukireepo's claim of physical assault
Source
“According to the Namibian Correctional Service, though, Ndukireepo's allegation that he had been manhandled was investigated, including an investigation of closed-circuit television camera footage, and no evidence to substantiate his claim of physical assault was found.”
Namibian Correctional Servicerecruitedapproximately 400 people during 2024/25 period
Source
“The Namibian Correctional Service recruited approximately 400 people, bringing security sector recruitment efforts to between 4 000 and 5 000 positions.”
Namibian Correctional Service (NCS)remain firmly in control of the standings after maintaining a flawless record, winningall 16 of their matches played so far
Source
“Defending champions Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) remain firmly in control of the standings after maintaining a flawless record, winning all 16 of their matches played so far.”
Commissioner general of the Namibian Correctional Service Raphael HamunyelasaidNamibia has finalised the agreement and is waiting for South Africa to pass the law
Source
“Commissioner general of the Namibian Correctional Service Raphael Hamunyela on Sunday said Namibia has finalised the agreement and is waiting for South Africa (SA) to pass the law.”
Namibian Correctional Servicearedefending champions
Source
“He identified the opening men's clash between defending champions Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) and newcomers Brutal Pack Volleyball Club as one of the weekend's standout fixtures.”
Namibian Correctional Serviceis conductingongoing rehabilitation efforts aimed at addressing social challenges and promoting accountability
Source
“The programme forms part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts by the Namibian Correctional Service aimed at addressing social challenges, promoting accountability and equipping offenders with the tools needed to make positive contributions to society.”
Namibian Correctional Serviceis hostinga delegation from Botswana Prison Service on benchmarking visit
Source
“THE Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) is hosting a delegation from the Botswana Prison Service (BPS) on a benchmarking visit focused on offender rehabilitation, health services and correctional management strategies aimed at strengthening cooperation and institutional learning between the two countries.”
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.
A High Court judge has ordered the medical officer of Windhoek Correctional Facility to recommend the release of inmate Khamastar Ndukireepo (49), who became paralysed while serving a 20-year murder sentence. The judge found the medical officer's earlier refusal to recommend release on medical grounds conflicted with constitutional protections of fundamental rights and human dignity.
The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that staff losses within the Namibian Police Force have strained operations, with resignations largely linked to poor remuneration. Despite recruitment drives across the security sector in 2024/25 bringing in approximately 4,000–5,000 positions, the ministry continues to experience resignations, retirements, and skills shortages.
Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) defeated Afrocat Lions 54-41 and Mighty Gunners 51-43 in rounds 27 and 28 of the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League over the weekend. In Ongwediva, UNAM Ogongo defeated Extreme Eagles 48-38.
The 2026 MTC Namibia Netball Premier League is reaching its final stages with defending champions Namibian Correctional Service remaining unbeaten after 16 wins, while NDF Mighty Gunners sit second with 16 victories and three defeats from 19 matches.
Namibia and South Africa have signed an agreement to allow mutual transfer of sentenced prisoners between the countries, but transfers cannot occur until South Africa passes enabling legislation expected by mid-2027. Namibia has already finalised its side of the arrangement.
The MTC Volleyball National League moves to Gobabis for round five of the 2026 season, marking the town's first time hosting the competition. The Namibia Volleyball Federation selected Gobabis as part of its strategy to grow the sport beyond traditional strongholds through monthly league rounds across different Namibian towns.
The Namibia Volleyball Federation is bringing the MTC Volleyball National League to Gobabis for the first time, with round five of the 2026 season featuring men's and women's matches. The NVF is expanding the sport beyond traditional strongholds by hosting monthly league rounds across towns in Namibia.
Twenty inmates at Lüderitz Correctional Facility received certificates after completing a Gender-Based Violence course aimed at promoting personal development, behavioural change and reintegration into society. The programme forms part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts by the Namibian Correctional Service.
The Namibian Correctional Service is hosting a five-day benchmarking visit from the Botswana Prison Service from 15 to 19 June 2026, focusing on offender rehabilitation, health services, and correctional management strategies to strengthen cooperation and institutional learning between the two countries.
Namibian prisons are crowded and debate focuses on alternative sentencing and keeping petty offenders out, but almost no one addresses reintegration after release. People leaving correctional facilities with severed family, employment, and community ties often return to prison because it is the only institution still willing to accept them.
Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu has warned that inconsistent decision-making, weak discipline and communication failures within the security cluster are eroding public trust in Namibia's frontline services. She made the remarks during a regional ministerial staff meeting in Katima Mulilo, bringing together officials from Immigration, the Namibian Police Force and the Namibian Correctional Service to inspect border posts and ministry projects in the Zambezi region.
The MTC Volleyball National League moves to Katima Mulilo this weekend for Round 3 matches in both men's and women's divisions. Teams including Blaze Aces, defending champions Revivals, and unbeaten Unam Queens will compete at the Unam Katima Mulilo Campus.
The Namibian Correctional Service chess team qualified for the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners after placing fifth at the Second Continental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners – Africa on 12 May, with eight inmates selected to represent Namibia.
Eighteen sentenced prisoners at Windhoek Correctional Facility won a court order setting aside restrictions on their study activities. Acting judge David Mangota reversed decisions by senior correctional officers to reduce study time from six to two hours daily and to prohibit mixing between prisoners of different security classifications for educational purposes.
Opposition leaders say Cassinga Day and Workers' Day have become political mobilisation events for Swapo rather than state occasions reflecting national unity, citing concerns about the presence of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe and the absence of national institutions at these public holidays.
Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu urged newly graduated correctional officers to treat inmates with dignity and warned against abuse of power at the 32nd Basic Training Graduation Ceremony, where 399 recruits graduated. The Namibian Correctional Service operates at about 30% of its required staff and faces pressure from shortages, ageing facilities, and lack of specialists.
The 32nd Basic Training Course Graduation Ceremony for Correctional Officers, Intake 1/2025, was held in Omaruru with 399 trainees graduating. Minister of Home Affairs Lucia Iipumbu emphasised the Correctional Service's mandate to provide safe custody, maintain order and security, rehabilitate offenders, and prepare them for reintegration into society while maintaining professional control without cruelty or abuse.
Defending champions Namibian Correctional Service say preparations for the 2026 MTC Netball Namibia Premier League season are progressing well. The season begins 2–4 May at Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek, where the country's top 12 clubs will compete.
Round 2 of the MTC Volleyball National League saw Blaze Access edge NDF Phoenix 3–2 in a five-set women's match, while defending champions Revivals bounced back with a 3–1 victory. Unam Queens and NamPol Volleyball Club also secured straight-sets wins, with intensity and team spirit defining the action at Ondangwa Tennis Courts.
Namibia is making progress toward its 2030 food self-sufficiency target through green schemes and increased local crop production. The country now produces 56% of its vegetables locally worth N$323 million, while agricultural exports reached N$2 billion in 2025/26, with green schemes generating N$67.4 million from maize and wheat harvests.
Government-appointed curators tasked with seizing assets linked to the Fishrot corruption scandal face legal hurdles and institutional delays in accessing foreign properties owned by suspects, with a February 2025 court order needed to extend seizure powers abroad. The curators report ongoing obstacles including uncooperative banks, missed meetings with defendants, and slow responses from financial institutions, hampering their efforts to catalogue and recover assets valued at over N$317 million.
The Namibian Correctional Service has deepened its international engagement through partnerships with organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Corrections and Prisons Association, and achieved an 82% implementation rate of its Annual Plan in the 2025/2026 financial year, according to Commissioner-General Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela.
The Namibian Correctional Service Commissioner-General has inspected the maize plantation at Divundu Correctional Facility in Kavango East, which cultivates 120.7 hectares. The NCS operates farms to rehabilitate inmates, provide skills training, and reduce feeding costs through food self-sufficiency.
Lawyers have raised concerns that the fair trial rights of suspects in the murder case of late Control Prosecutor Justine Shiweda may be prejudiced, as the accused are barred from having access to telephones while incarcerated, hampering their ability to contact legal representatives. The matter was remanded to 8 April 2026 to address the issue of telephonic access and to fix a bail application date.
Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi has criticised the 2026/27 national budget for prioritising security sector recruitment over infrastructure development and agricultural investment, saying the government is hiring for security jobs to meet political demands because there is insufficient money for real job creation. He argued that increasing operational budgets while declining development budgets keeps the country in a cycle of poverty and unemployment, and that rural development through agriculture should be non-negotiable.
The Commissioner-General of the Namibian Correctional Service visited Katima Mulilo Correctional Facility to assess progress on seven centre-pivot irrigation systems being installed on farmland in the Zambezi Region, with completion targeted for end of March or early April. He urged staff at the facility to prioritize teamwork and collaboration for organizational success.
The Namibian government has donated agricultural machinery and 200 mango trees to the Namibian Correctional Service in Katima Mulilo to develop a 1,000-hectare farm. The project aims to enhance food security, rehabilitate offenders through agricultural training, and mitigate climate change while reducing dependency on rainwater through irrigation.
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah unveiled an operational budget of N$81.3 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, with 61.7% of spending directed to the social sector including education, health, and civil service salary increases. The government projects revenue of N$89.8 billion and targets a budget deficit of 5.5% of GDP, down from current levels as part of its fiscal consolidation strategy.