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July 2026
The Namibian
Office of the Attorney Generaldenied knowledge ofallegations of mishandled legal cases
Source
“Spokesperson Edmund //Khoaseb said the Directorate of Civil Litigation represents the health ministry in all civil cases and that all summonses and applications are defended within the required time frames.”
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has appealed against the environmental commissioner's decision to grant an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, appealing against the decision in its entirety and all conditions in the certificate.
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has appealed against the environmental commissioner's decision to grant an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, appealing against the decision in its entirety and all conditions in the certificate.
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
Government lawyers are accused of mishandling health-related legal cases and potentially sharing settlement payouts with senior ministry officials and claimants' lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, the health ministry spent N$14.7m on medical claims, with about N$5.5m spent over the past year, amid delays in a nationwide medico-legal training programme.
The Namibian government has budgeted about N$20 million for a feasibility study to revive Air Namibia, which was placed into voluntary liquidation in February 2021 due to debts exceeding N$5 billion. Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament that the study has been completed and is under review, conducted by an inter-ministerial team of experts with aviation, legal, and economic expertise.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed retired chief legal adviser Chris Nghaamwa, her relative, as an adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka effective 1 June. State House defended the appointment, stating Nghaamwa's qualifications and experience in government legal roles made him suitable, and that family relationships do not render individuals unsuitable for public service.
The Ministry of Education has sought legal advice to cancel a lease agreement for an unoccupied Independence Avenue building that has cost the state N$1.1 million monthly since 2024. The building, leased from northern businessman Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba since December 2023, was found unsuitable for office use and remains empty.
Anna Haitembu-Shihengo has been appointed chief of legal advice at the Office of the Attorney General effective 1 March, succeeding Chris Ngaamwa. She will oversee the directorate of legal advice and support the attorney-general in advising the president and government on legal matters.
The Office of the Attorney General has appointed Ndateelela Shilongo-Alexander as substantive government attorney, effective immediately. Shilongo-Alexander, a former director at law firm Sisa Namandje & Co., is an admitted High Court practitioner with over a decade of experience in civil litigation, labour law, administrative law and commercial law.
The Office of the Prosecutor General seized crime-linked assets worth N$28.85 million during the 2025/26 financial year, with N$5.8 million obtained through conviction-based court orders and N$30.2 million preserved. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced the seizures in Parliament, describing them as evidence of political will and coordinated effort against illicit financial flows.
Matheus Mumbala, Swapo ||Kharas regional coordinator, called on party members to avoid petitions and internal conflicts, emphasizing the need for unity, respect among comrades, and collaborative problem-solving. He also urged regional and local authorities to use government legal resources rather than costly private lawyers, redirecting savings to community development.
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced that a forthcoming public passage bill will address e-hailing services operating illegally in Namibia, as current law requires all transport operators to obtain road carrier permits from the Ministry of Works and Transport. The ministry has engaged the Attorney General to hold e-hailing platforms accountable for allowing unlicensed operators.
Justice Esi Malaika Schimming-Chase has become the first woman to be permanently appointed as a judge to Namibia's Supreme Court, taking her oath of office at a ceremony administered by Chief Justice Peter Shivute. She assumes duties effective 1 March 2026, following a distinguished legal career spanning more than two decades.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has instructed 200 illegal occupants of government houses and flats, primarily retired civil servants, to vacate by 1 April or pay monthly rent of up to N$10,500 plus 20% interest. The amnesty period aims to give unauthorised tenants a fair opportunity to leave without penalties before enforcement begins.