Office of the Judiciary — Namibia's judicial administrative body overseeing court operations, appointments, and budgetary allocation, currently managing severe capacity constraints and budget shortages.
Ondangwa doctor Fillemon Nakanduungile is facing murder and conspiracy charges following the death of prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who died from injuries sustained in a violent acid attack on 17 October. Nakanduungile is accused of conspiring with a criminal gang that shot and threw corrosive acid at the prosecutor.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Ondangwa doctor Fillemon Nakanduungile is facing murder and conspiracy charges following the death of prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who died from injuries sustained in a violent acid attack on 17 October. Nakanduungile is accused of conspiring with a criminal gang that shot and threw corrosive acid at the prosecutor.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that prolonged backlog of cases, particularly those involving abuse of public resources, weakens public confidence in Namibia's state institutions. Chief Justice Peter Shivute cited a critical shortage of judicial officers and rising caseloads, with magistrate court backlogs growing from 57,090 cases at end of 2024 to 63,679 at end of 2025.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Court proceedings in Opuwo have been delayed due to a shortage of magistrates and interpreters, with one magistrate managing two court rolls and inadequate coverage for Otjiherero and Damara/Nama speakers. A local lawyer warns the delays violate the right to fair trial, while the judiciary says it faces structural challenges in interpreting all indigenous languages across courts.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Office of the Judiciary has clarified that interpreter allocation at courts is determined by geographical location and dominant regional languages, following concerns about the availability of Otjiherero and Damara/Nama interpretation services at Opuwo Magistrate's Court. The Judiciary spokesperson stated that systematic processes are in place to source specific language interpreters in advance and that no case backlog has been attributed solely to interpreter shortages.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Constitution and legislation establish multiple safeguards for judicial independence, including direct budget allocation to the judiciary, qualification requirements for judges, appointment through the Judicial Service Commission, removal protections, and ethical guidelines that prevent conflicts of interest and political interference.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →