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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Peter Shivute

Also known as: chief justice Peter Shivute · Judge President Peter Shivute · Your Lordship Peter Shivute · His Worship Peter Shivute

Chief Justice of Namibia who has called for coordinated approaches to justice system delays and delays in investigation, prosecution, and courts.

2023-10-252026-10-22
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News reports

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

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What’s been said

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

  1. October 2026

  2. Windhoek Observer

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute chairs the National Security Task Force

    Source

    “The task force is chaired by Chief Justice Peter Shivute.”

    Prosecutors to honour Shiweda one year after attack

  3. The Namibian

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute said the system is especially beneficial for those who travel long distances to access banking facilities

    Source

    “Chief justice Peter Shivute on Thursday said the system is especially beneficial for those who previously had to travel long distances to access banking or court payment facilities.”

    FNB customers to get free swipes at court

  4. Windhoek Observer

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute said facilities would make it easier for public to settle court payments electronically

    Source

    “Chief Justice Peter Shivute said the facilities would make it easier for members of the public to settle court-related payments electronically.”

    FNB rolls out 42 speedpoints at magistrates’ courts

  5. The Namibian

    His Worship Peter Shivute is Chief Justice

    Source

    “His Worship Peter Shivute, Chief Justice; Honourable Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade and other Ministers present;”

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah Charges Ambassador-Designate to Advance Namibia’s Interests in Switzerland

  6. Windhoek Observer

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute recommended Kukuri's reappointment

    Source

    “Kukuri's reappointment was made by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, on the recommendation of Chief Justice Peter Shivute.”

    Kukuri reappointed judiciary executive director

  7. The Namibian

    Chief justice Peter Shivute said that Strydom provided indispensible leadership that helped shape Namibia's judiciary

    Source

    “This was said by chief justice Peter Shivute during a valedictory motion court session in honour of Strydom at the Supreme Court in Windhoek yesterday.”

    Chief justice Strydom honoured at Supreme Court session

  8. Windhoek Observer

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute described Strydom as a central figure in transforming the judiciary during Namibia's transition to independence

    Source

    “Shivute said Strydom's contribution went beyond serving as Namibia's third Chief Justice, describing him as a central figure in transforming the judiciary during the country's transition to independence.”

    Strydom remembered as architect of Namibia’s independent judiciary
  9. September 2026

  10. The Namibian

    Chief justice Peter Shivute chairs the Board for Legal Education

    Source

    “The JTC is controlled by the Board for Legal Education, which falls under the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations and is chaired by chief justice Peter Shivute.”

    Supreme Court judge calls for lawyers training reforms

  11. The Namibian

    Chief justice Peter Shivute described Johan Strydom as a selfless and dedicated leader

    Source

    “Namibia's third chief justice, Johan Strydom, was "a selfless and dedicated leader who served the judiciary and our country with distinction", chief justice Peter Shivute has said in a statement issued by the Office of the Judiciary.”

    Chief justice pays tribute to predecessor Strydom

  12. Informanté

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute extended condolences to Strydom's family, friends and the legal fraternity

    Source

    “Chief Justice Peter Shivute, on behalf of the Judiciary and himself, extended condolences to Strydom's family, friends and the legal fraternity.”

    Former Chief Justice Johan Strydom dies in Swakopmund at 88
World & Region

South Africa's escalating diplomatic row with United States ambassador

The News

South Africa has issued a third formal diplomatic protest against US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III in nine months over what it characterises as undiplomatic conduct and interference in domestic affairs. The latest row follows Bozell's public statements that Washington has ended dialogue with Pretoria, and South African officials have warned the country to prepare for worsening relations amid what they call US pressure to surrender sovereignty.

19 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 19 October

  1. South Africa's escalating diplomatic row with United States ambassador

    South Africa has issued a third formal diplomatic protest against US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III in nine months over what it characterises as undiplomatic conduct and interference in domestic affairs. The latest row follows Bozell's public statements that Washington has ended dialogue with Pretoria, and South African officials have warned the country to prepare for worsening relations amid what they call US pressure to surrender sovereignty.

    19 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 17 October

  1. Prosecutors honour slain control prosecutor Shiweda one year later

    The Office of the Prosecutor-General will visit the family of control prosecutor Justine Shiweda in the Oshana region on Saturday to commemorate her death one year after she was attacked in Ondangwa in October 2025. Shiweda sustained gunshot wounds and injuries from a corrosive substance and died in February 2026; Acting Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa will lead the remembrance visit, during which a wreath will be laid to recognize Shiweda's service to the justice system.

    17 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 5 October

  1. FNB removes transaction fees for court payments via cards

    First National Bank customers will no longer pay transaction fees when using FNB cards for bail and other magistrate court payments following the launch of speed point devices at courts. The initiative allows electronic payments through bank cards and digital channels, reducing reliance on cash and delays in bail processing.

    5 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 2 October

  1. FNB deploys 42 payment devices at magistrates courts

    FNB Namibia has rolled out 42 Speedpoint payment devices at Magistrates' Courts in partnership with the Office of the Judiciary, enabling court users to make secure electronic payments for court-related fees instead of travelling to banking facilities.

    2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. President commissions ambassador to Switzerland and UN Geneva

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah commissioned Ms Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, charging her to advance and protect Namibia's national interests.

    2 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Benhardt Kukuri reappointed judiciary executive director for five years

    The Office of the Judiciary has announced the reappointment of Benhardt Kukuri as its executive director for a further five-year term, effective 1 December 2026. The reappointment was made by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare on the recommendation of Chief Justice Peter Shivute.

    2 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 1 October

  1. Retired Chief Justice Strydom honoured at Supreme Court

    Retired chief justice Johan Strydom, who died at age 88, provided indispensible leadership that helped shape Namibia's judiciary after independence in 1990, Chief Justice Peter Shivute said at a valedictory court session. Strydom, the first judge president of the High Court after independence and the country's third chief justice, helped transform the legal system from one built to repress into one built to protect.

    1 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Former Chief Justice Strydom remembered as architect of independent judiciary

    Former Chief Justice Johan Strydom, who died on 25 September 2026 at age 88, was honoured at a valedictory court session for his role in establishing post-independence judicial principles of dignity, equality, access to justice, and administrative fairness during his nearly four-decade career.

    1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Supreme Court judge calls for lawyers training reforms

    Acting Supreme Court judge Dave Smuts and legal stakeholders have warned that Namibia's Justice Training Centre is failing to prepare graduates for practical court work, with some lawyers who completed the programme not properly trained for legal practice. Smuts called for a revamped training system that equips graduates with the practical and procedural skills needed to practise law.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 28 September

  1. Namibia's third chief justice Johan Strydom dies at 88

    Johan Strydom, Namibia's third chief justice who served in that role from 1999 to 2003 and continued in judicial roles until 2015, died at age 88 in Swakopmund on Friday. Current chief justice Peter Shivute praised Strydom's 38 years of public service and his contributions to constitutional, administrative, criminal, commercial, and other areas of law.

    28 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 25 September

  1. Former Chief Justice Johan Strydom dies at 88

    Gert Johannes Cornelius "Johan" Strydom, who served as Namibia's third Chief Justice from 1999 to 2003 and continued as an acting Supreme Court judge until 2015, has died in Swakopmund at age 88. The Judiciary credited him with 38 years of public service and significant contributions to Namibian jurisprudence across multiple areas of law.

    25 September 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Retired Chief Justice Johan Strydom dies at 88

    Retired chief justice Johan Strydom, who served as Namibia's first judge president after independence in 1990 and as chief justice from 1999 to 2003, has died at Swakopmund at age 88. Chief justice Peter Shivute said Strydom served with dedication across 38 years of public service and laid a strong foundation for the rule of law and judicial independence.

    25 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

  1. Justice system needs action, not conferences, says Windhoek

    An editorial following Namibia's State of Justice Conference argues the system must move from discussing problems to implementing solutions, addressing infrastructure, capacity, and administrative weaknesses that cause postponements affecting accused persons, victims, and witnesses.

    21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Justice system faces infrastructure and capacity shortages

    Namibia's justice system is struggling with poor court infrastructure, shortages of specialist services, weak record management, and avoidable postponements that slow justice delivery, according to officials at the State of Justice Conference in Windhoek. The Ministry of Justice highlighted inaccessible courts, lack of secure waiting areas, connectivity challenges, a shortage of psychiatrists for forensic assessments, and postponements linked to incomplete investigations and missing records.

    21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 19 September

  1. Chief Justice urges coordinated approach to justice system delays

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute told the State of Justice Conference that delays, case backlogs, and resource constraints require effective collaboration across all justice sector institutions rather than single-institution solutions, as delays in investigation, prosecution, or courts ripple across the system and erode public confidence in the whole apparatus.

    19 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 17 September

  1. President calls for justice sector to act on conference reforms

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the first State of Justice Conference in Windhoek that the justice sector must translate discussions into action that improves ordinary Namibians' access to timely legal services, particularly at grassroots level where resources and barriers are limited.

    17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. President calls for efficient, accessible, trusted justice sector

    President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a keynote address at the opening of the First State of Justice Summit, calling for an efficient, accessible and trusted justice sector.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 14 September

  1. Namibian judiciary mourns death of Eswatini Chief Justice Maphalala

    Namibia's Chief Justice Peter Shivute has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Eswatini Chief Justice Bheki M.C. Maphalala, calling him a visionary judicial leader and past chairperson of the Southern and Eastern African Chief Justices' Forum. Shivute extended condolences to Maphalala's family and the Judiciary of Eswatini.

    14 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 6 September

  1. Supreme Court invalidates school hostel food tender

    The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education, upholding a High Court decision that set aside a multimillion-dollar tender for supplying food to government school hostels. The court found the procurement process unlawful because the board continued proceedings after the 180-day bid validity period had expired.

    6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

  1. Supreme Court upholds High Court's cancellation of school food tender

    The Supreme Court upheld a High Court judgment canceling a multimillion-dollar school hostel food supply tender for government schools across Namibia's 14 regions after the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education appealed the decision. The tender was found to have irregularities, including the exclusion of a bidder for failing to provide an English translation of an Afrikaans-language supporting document.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Chief justice prioritizes judicial officer health amid professional demands

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute said professional demands on judicial officers must not come at the cost of their health, and emphasized a close relationship between judicial well-being and proper administration of justice. His remarks came at an event marking the UN-proclaimed International Day for Judicial Well-being on 25 July.

    25 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 24 August

  1. Chief Justice calls for institutional support for judicial well-being

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute has called for greater institutional responsibility for the well-being of judicial officers and support staff, warning that individual resilience cannot indefinitely compensate for heavy workloads, inadequate support and demanding working conditions. He stressed that judicial stress should not be stigmatised and that the well-being of judicial officers is closely linked to the proper administration of justice.

    24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 17 August

  1. Justice system advances security plan for magistrates, prosecutors

    Namibia's Chief Justice has convened stakeholders to consider security assessment findings covering more than 400 judicial officers and prosecutors, with the assessment to be submitted to Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister. The move addresses risks of intimidation and violence faced by those administering and prosecuting the law, prompted partly by the death of regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda in October 2025.

    17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Security plan for 400 magistrates and prosecutors reaches Cabinet

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute convened a meeting to review a security assessment for over 400 prosecutors and judicial officers, following concerns heightened by the death of regional prosecutor Justine Shiweda. The report is expected to be submitted to Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister in the coming weeks for consideration and possible implementation.

    17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 8 August

  1. Political parties oppose Damaseb's nomination to Tanzania inquiry

    Political parties have called on deputy chief justice and judge president Petrus Damaseb to reject his nomination to serve on Tanzania's post-election violence commission of inquiry. Job Amupanda and the Independent Patriots for Change cite concerns over the process, Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses, and international criticism of previous Tanzanian inquiries, arguing that Damaseb's participation could lend credibility to a commission of uncertain independence.

    8 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Opposition parties criticize deputy chief justice's Tanzania inquiry role

    Opposition parties AR and IPC have accused the Namibian government of compromising judicial independence by nominating deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating post-election violence. AR contends the nomination was a political act facilitated through government channels rather than proper judicial cooperation.

    6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Deputy Chief Justice Damaseb joins Tanzania election violence inquiry

    Namibia's Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb has been nominated to serve on a Tanzanian presidential commission of inquiry investigating violence that followed Tanzania's October 2025 general elections, following a request from Tanzanian authorities for a Namibian High Court judge to join the commission.

    5 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia's deputy chief justice investigates Tanzania election violence

    Petrus Damaseb, Namibia's deputy chief justice, has been nominated to serve on a Tanzanian presidential commission of inquiry investigating post-election violence following Tanzania's 2025 general elections. The Judicial Service Commission said Damaseb's judicial and administrative experience made him suitable for the sensitive role, and arrangements will be made to ensure his Namibian judicial duties continue without disruption.

    5 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 25 June

  1. AR MP questions US ambassador's judicial interference remarks

    Affirmative Repositioning MP Tuhafeni Kalola is questioning remarks made by US ambassador John Giordano to chief justice Peter Shivute, in which Giordano allegedly told judges they could call him to contact people he knows to help with their cases. Kalola argues the remarks appear to breach Article 78(3) of the Namibian Constitution, which safeguards judicial independence, and has asked the justice minister whether the government has assessed the ambassador's statements and whether they constitute an attempt to interfere with the Judiciary.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 5 June

  1. Omuthiya Periodical Court opens Monday to serve Oshikoto Region

    The Office of the Judiciary announced that the Omuthiya Periodical Court will commence operations on Monday, 8 June 2026, providing essential judicial services including criminal proceedings, marriage solemnization, maintenance disputes, and bail payments to residents of Oshikoto Region who previously had to travel to Ondangwa Magistrate's Court.

    5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Peter Shivute — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute