Office of the Ombudsman

Office of the Ombudsman — investigates governance and human rights issues including environmental compliance and detention conditions, with recent findings on Baynes hydropower clearance and inmate malnutrition.

2025-01-312026-09-18

What’s been said

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

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

Mining & Energy

Ombudsman's Baynes hydropower report delayed by administrative error

The News

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 →

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 →