Office of the Ombudsman

Office of the Ombudsman — independent human rights body investigating maladministration and violations, currently undergoing autonomy reforms and conducting inquiries into police conditions and environmental projects.

2025-01-312026-11-02

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Office of the Ombudsman

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

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

September 2026
28 SeptNew Era
Office of the Ombudsman has faced structural, financial and operational constraints
Source
“Currently embedded within the line ministry, the Office of the Ombudsman has faced structural, financial and operational constraints due to competing ministerial interests and obligations.”
Ombudsman Bill arms public protector
27 SeptThe Namibian
The Office of the Ombudsman reported at least nine elderly people were killed in Namibia between 2006 and 2025 over witchcraft claims
Source
“The Office of the Ombudsman says at least nine elderly people were killed in Namibia between 2006 and 2025 over claims that they practised witchcraft.”
Elderly couples in Oshikoto, Kavango West killed over witchcraft allegations
21 SeptThe Namibian
Office of the Ombudsman is facilitating human rights training for police officers
Source
“The training is being facilitated by the Office of the Ombudsman in partnership with the Office of the Prosecutor General.”
Arrests must be non-violent unless absolutely necessary – police
August 2026
16 AugThe Namibian
Office of the Ombudsman recommended that management of police holding cells be transferred to Namibia Correctional Service
Source
“The ombudsman has recommended that the management of police holding cells be transferred to the Namibia Correctional Service, arguing that the service is trained to handle inmates, whether sentenced or awaiting trial.”
Trial delays leave inmates malnourished
13 AugNamibian Sun
Office of the Ombudsman found consultations for Baynes hydropower dam do not satisfy Environmental Management Act
Source
“The Office of the Ombudsman has found that consultations undertaken for the proposed 860-megawatt Baynes hydropower dam do not satisfy the Environmental Management Act and that for...”
Baynes dam project lacks environmental clearance
May 2026
23 MayThe Namibian
Office of the Ombudsman discovered overcrowding challenges in police holding cells during inspection of eight regions
Source
“The Office of the Ombudsman discovered these challenges during his visit to eight regions in northern Namibia to inspect the current state of police holding facilities and the detention conditions of trial-awaiting detainees, as well as the care and treatment of individuals with mental illnesses and disabilities in these holding cells.”
Ombudsman calls for solutions to holding cells overcrowding
March 2026
4 MarThe Namibian
Office of the Ombudsman was established to promote good governance and tackle corruption
Source
“Ngurare said institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Office of Prosecutor General, the Office of Auditor-General, the Office of the Ombudsman and others have been established for this purpose.”
Ngurare calls for anti-corruption ‘intelligence sharing'
January 2025
31 JanThe Namibian
Office of the Ombudsman is a recipient of complaints violations of the right against arbitrary arrest and detention
Source
“Namibians are encouraged not to be afraid and to report all incidents they regard as violations of their right against arbitrary arrest and detention to the Office of The Ombudsman, human rights organisations such as NamRights, or Independent Human Rights Activists and Defenders.”
Namibians’ Fight Against Arbitrary Arrest and Detention

Politics

Ombudsman Bill 2026 grants office financial autonomy

The News

Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Immanuel has tabled the Ombudsman Bill 2026, which seeks to replace the 1990 Ombudsman Act and establish a modern legal framework that grants the Office of the Ombudsman full financial and administrative autonomy, separating it from the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations. The Bill aligns the office with the Constitution and UN Paris Principles, removes its budgetary dependence on the ministry, and broadens its powers to investigate systemic human rights violations and maladministration.

28 September 2026 · New Era →

Monday 28 September

Ombudsman Bill 2026 grants office financial autonomy
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Immanuel has tabled the Ombudsman Bill 2026, which seeks to replace the 1990 Ombudsman Act and establish a modern legal framework that grants the Office of the Ombudsman full financial and administrative autonomy, separating it from the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations. The Bill aligns the office with the Constitution and UN Paris Principles, removes its budgetary dependence on the ministry, and broadens its powers to investigate systemic human rights violations and maladministration.
28 September 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 27 September

Elderly couples killed in witchcraft allegations across regions
Two elderly couples were killed—one in Oshikoto in November and another in Kavango West in July—after being accused of witchcraft. The ombudsman reports at least nine elderly people have been killed over witchcraft claims in Namibia between 2006 and 2025, noting that the elderly and poor are vulnerable to such accusations that damage reputations.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Human Rights Council adopts Namibia UPR outcome by consensus
The Human Rights Council adopted Namibia's fourth-cycle Universal Periodic Review outcome by consensus, with Namibia supporting 255 of 290 recommendations (87.9 per cent) submitted during an interactive dialogue on 4 May 2026 involving 111 delegations.
27 September 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 21 September

Police commander urges non-violent arrests and human rights respect
Oshana police regional commander Andreas Shilelo has urged officers to ensure arrests are lawful and non-violent unless "absolutely" necessary, emphasizing that conditions of detention should respect basic human dignity, use of force must be proportional and applied as a last resort, and freedom of expression and assembly must be protected. The statement came at the opening of a five-day human rights training course for 50 police officers from all 14 regions, facilitated by the Office of the Ombudsman and Office of the Prosecutor General.
21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

Ombudsman's Baynes hydropower report delayed by administrative error
The ombudsman's office confirmed it failed to send a report on its inquiry into the proposed Baynes hydropower project to the project's implementation unit due to an administrative oversight, and delivered it on 17 August 2026. The inquiry found no environmental clearance certificate exists for the project, consultations did not satisfy the Environmental Management Act, and communities in Epupa are divided over the development.
20 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 16 August

Ombudsman finds malnutrition among trial-awaiting inmates
The ombudsman has identified cases of malnutrition among trial-awaiting inmates in police holding cells, with findings confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services' Oshana regional office. Overcrowding and delays in the criminal justice system are straining resources, including food budgets.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 13 August

Baynes dam project lacks required environmental clearance
The Office of the Ombudsman found that consultations for the proposed 860-megawatt Baynes hydropower dam do not satisfy requirements under the Environmental Management Act.
13 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 3 August

Police review inmate meals following High Court order
The Namibian Police is reviewing meal provision to trial-awaiting inmates after a High Court on 23 July ordered three northern police stations to feed accused persons on court days. The police says it is implementing recommendations from the Office of the Ombudsman and working with a state chief dietician to improve inmate nutrition standards.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 July

Rape-accused doctor Dennis Noa seeks bail to resume work
Medical doctor Dennis Noa, arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 26-year-old man at a public hospital premises, asked the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court to grant him bail so he can return to his duties. The state opposed bail, citing rape as a serious offence and arguing that release could risk witness interference, further offences, or absconding.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 23 May

Ombudsman flags severe overcrowding in northern police holding cells
Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha has raised concerns about severe overcrowding in police holding cells across eight northern regions, with facilities such as Omuthiya and Oshakati police stations holding over 800 inmates each, and Katima Mulilo holding over 280 inmates in cells designed for 80. Dyakugha attributed the overcrowding to prolonged case finalization, lack of bail releases, and lengthy investigations.
23 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 April

Minister orders inquiry into tribal bias at Roads Authority
Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi ordered an investigation into alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority, finding it employs about 74 people from the Zambezi region compared to more than 300 from northern Namibia. The probe has revived broader allegations of tribalism in hiring practices across Namibian state-owned enterprises and government offices.
26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 9 March

Abuse of power leads ACC cases in 2024/25
The Anti-Corruption Commission reported that 45% of the 127 cases it handled in the 2024/25 financial year involved abuse of power, with bribery and misuse of public resources among other common issues. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called for robust anti-corruption strategies, adequate funding for key institutions, and better collaboration among stakeholders to combat corruption.
9 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 6 March

Prime Minister outlines anti-corruption strategy implementation progress
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare addressed the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Steering Committee, emphasizing the government's commitment to fighting corruption and the importance of cooperation among anti-corruption institutions. He noted that the second National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2021–2025) is ending and an independent evaluation will inform the development of a third strategy for 2026–2030, with consultations planned across all fourteen regions.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 March

PM urges anti-corruption agencies to share intelligence
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on government institutions responsible for tackling corruption to stop working in isolation and instead collaborate through shared intelligence and coordinated action. He emphasized the need for adequate funding of anti-corruption bodies and decentralization of services to the regions.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 February

Woman allegedly denied toilet at Katutura Police Station
A detainee at Katutura Police Station was reportedly forced to urinate in public due to lack of toilet facilities, prompting calls for investigation by the Ombudsman and Prosecutor-General into alleged breaches of basic human dignity and safety standards.
26 February 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 24 February

Traditional authority disputes power to remove Dâure Daman chief
The Dâure Daman Traditional Authority says ministers lack the authority to remove and degazette traditional chiefs, arguing that removal must be initiated at community level before escalation to ministerial and presidential level as provided in the Traditional Authorities Act 25 of 2000. The authority supports former chief Sagarias Seibeb's court challenge against his removal last November, claiming the government did not follow proper procedure.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →