Also known as: Supreme Court in Angola · US Supreme Court · Supreme Court of the Republic of Namibia · Supreme Court in Windhoek · Supreme Court of the United States
Namibia's highest court of appeal, which has ruled on cases involving telecom licensing, ministerial decisions, financial restitution, and criminal appeals.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
Supreme Court upheld NSFAF's cross-appeal and set aside the finding that Nghiwete had been unfairly dismissed
“According to the claim, the Supreme Court's judgment, delivered on 6 September 2024, upheld NSFAF's cross-appeal, set aside the finding that Nghiwete had been unfairly dismissed and overturned the order requiring the fund to compensate her.”
NSFAF’s N$4.3 million recovery lawsuit moves to next stageWindhoek Observer
Supreme Court is awaiting a case relating to a three-year Open National Bidding process
“The ministry said the interim arrangement is expected to cost just over N$90 million per month and will run for six months while awaiting the finalisation of a Supreme Court case relating to the three-year Open National Bidding process.”
Education ministry defends NTA appointment for hostel food supplyThe Namibian
Supreme Court stated in March 2024 orders against Kamushinda could be executed as appeal had lapsed
“The Supreme Court stated in a judgement delivered in March 2024 that the orders given by Parker against Kamushinda, Metbank and World Eagle Investments in October 2020 could be executed, as an appeal that they had filed against the High Court's judgement had lapsed.”
Zim court recognises SME Bank liquidationThe Namibian
Supreme Court ruled babies born in US have constitutional right to citizenship
“The Supreme Courthasruled that babies born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship, rejecting Donald Trump's bid to end the 150-year-old policy.”
US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in blow to TrumpThe Namibian
Supreme Court ruled that municipality does not have legal authority to provide telecommunications services
“This is after the Supreme Court ruled that the municipality does not have the legal authority to provide telecommunications services to residents.”
City seeks law changes to keep fibre dream aliveThe Namibian
Supreme Court found in its judgement that the Local Authorities Act does not include telecommunication services among powers given to local authorities
“The court found, in a judgement delivered on Friday, that the Local Authorities Act does not include the provision of telecommunication services among the powers it gives to local authorities in Namibia, including the City of Windhoek.”
City loses appeal about telecom service licenceThe Namibian
Supreme Court was undermined by legislature and executive's decision to pass Marriage Act and Civil Registration and Identification Act
“Several nations raised rule of law concerns regarding the legislature and the executive's decision to undermine the Supreme Court by passing the Marriage Act and the Civil Registration and Identification Act in December 2024.”
Are Human Rights All About Popularity?The Namibian
Supreme Court upheld the mines and energy minister's decision to reject Red Soil's licence application
“A company that challenged the refusal of a petroleum exploration licence in Namibia has lost its case in the Supreme Court, which has upheld the mines and energy minister's decision to reject its application for offshore oil blocks.”
Supreme Court sinks Red Soil’s oil licence challengeThe Namibian
Supreme Court ordered Namfisa to pay N$35.1 million to Prowealth investors' liquidator
“THE Supreme Court has ordered the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) to pay N$35.1 million to the liquidator of the insolvent company Prowealth Asset Management, to be paid to investors who lost money entrusted to the company about two decades ago.”
Court orders Namfisa to pay N$35m for Prowealth investorsThe Namibian
Supreme Court overturned earlier rulings and ruled that Nghiwete's dismissal was fair, not entitled to compensation
“The Supreme Court ruled that the finding of unfair dismissal must be set aside, and further overturned the order requiring the NSFAF to pay remuneration for the period from February 2020 to July 2021.”
NSFAF sues former chief Nghiwete for N$4.3mThe High Court has ordered NSFAF and former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete to file a joint case management report by 4 August 2026 ahead of a case management conference on 11 August 2026. NSFAF is seeking to recover N$4,301,277.36 paid to Nghiwete under an arbitration award that lost its legal basis following a Supreme Court ruling upholding her dismissal.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has ordered NSFAF and former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete to file a joint case management report by 4 August 2026 ahead of a case management conference on 11 August 2026. NSFAF is seeking to recover N$4,301,277.36 paid to Nghiwete under an arbitration award that lost its legal basis following a Supreme Court ruling upholding her dismissal.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has postponed the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case—concerning alleged unlawful allocation of Namibian fishing quotas—to 19 October. Former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, one of ten charged, said a Supreme Court petition challenging the judge's refusal to step down from the case remains pending, and a related civil application by four of the accused is scheduled for hearing on 15 September.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The education ministry sought an exemption from finance to appoint the Namibia Training Authority to supply food to government school hostels outside open competitive bidding, citing the need to reduce litigation risks and ensure food security after prolonged court cases. The interim arrangement is budgeted at just over N$90 million per month for six months pending resolution of a Supreme Court case.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia won a Supreme Court appeal upholding its decision to forfeit more than N$40 million in a Nedbank Namibia account belonging to retired Democratic Republic of Congo general François Olenga to the state, reversing a High Court decision from June last year that had set aside the forfeiture.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Zimbabwe's High Court has recognised the liquidation of Namibia's Small and Medium Enterprises Bank and granted liquidators Ian McLaren and Dave Bruni authority to recover the bank's assets in Zimbabwe. The court dismissed objections from Metropolitan Bank of Zimbabwe, a minority shareholder, and ruled that the legal requirements for recognising the Namibian insolvency proceedings had been met.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development resolved a salary dispute at the Kunene Regional Council by securing agreement to relieve Chief Regional Officer George Kamseb of his duties and appoint an acting chief regional officer, allowing the ministry to release funds for employees' outstanding June 2026 salaries. Kamseb's case remains before the Supreme Court, and he would be reinstated and receive all due remuneration should the court rule in his favour.
2 July 2026 · Informanté →
The US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary visitors have constitutional citizenship rights under the 14th Amendment, rejecting Trump's executive order challenge to the 150-year-old policy.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Kunene Regional Council employees did not receive salaries as government funds remain withheld by the urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who suspended disbursement in May citing concerns over the presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. The suspension has also halted several development projects in the region.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
The City of Windhoek says it may seek legislative amendments to the Local Authorities Act after the Supreme Court ruled the municipality lacks legal authority to provide telecommunications services. The city views fibre commercialisation as essential to its smart city ambitions.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Justice Minister Sackeus Shanghala and co-accused James Hatuikulipi have filed a Supreme Court petition seeking the removal of Judge Marelize du Plessis from their fisheries and corruption trial, after she dismissed their recusal application in March 2026. A lawyer for another accused has also indicated plans to apply for bail release, citing compromised fair trial rights and inadequate consultation facilities.
24 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Supreme Court has ruled that the City of Windhoek does not have the power to provide telecommunication services to its residents, finding that the Local Authorities Act does not grant local authorities in Namibia such powers. The judgment upheld the High Court's 2023 decision to set aside the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's award of a comprehensive telecommunications licence to the city.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
During Namibia's Universal Periodic Review at the UN in May, peer countries commended progress including decriminalisation of same-sex relations and universal healthcare adoption, but raised serious concerns about high rates of gender-based violence, undermining of judicial independence, and lack of legal protection for LGBTQI+ people.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Jandré Dippenaar's application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court has been dismissed by the Windhoek High Court. Dippenaar was convicted on six counts of murder following a 2014 collision near Henties Bay that killed six people, and received an effective 15-year prison sentence.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Red Soil Energy and Mineral Exploration lost its Supreme Court challenge against the mines and energy minister's refusal of a petroleum exploration licence for offshore blocks in southern Namibia. The company had argued it was treated unfairly and that blocks were reserved for politically connected individuals, but the court upheld the minister's decision based on the company's failure to demonstrate required technical and financial capacity.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Jandré Lodewyk Dippenaar, the first person in Namibia convicted of murder with direct intent from a car accident, has had his application to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court dismissed by the High Court. Dippenaar was sentenced in August 2024 to 15 years' imprisonment after being convicted on six counts of murder and other charges relating to a December 2014 car crash in Henties Bay that killed six people.
6 June 2026 · Informanté →
A High Court judge ruled that a leasehold right granted under the Communal Land Reform Act of 2005 does not end with the death of the right holder and can form part of their estate. The court also determined that a deceased estate and its executor have a stronger claim to the land than someone occupying it without a leasehold right.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Supreme Court has ordered Namfisa to pay N$35.1 million to the liquidator of insolvent company Prowealth Asset Management, to be distributed to investors who lost money entrusted to the company about two decades ago. The order follows a November finding that Namfisa was liable for losses suffered by approximately 87 investors due to insufficient regulatory oversight from August 2005 until the company collapsed in December 2008.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Supreme Court has ordered the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) to pay N$35 million to the liquidator of Prowealth Asset Management, which collapsed after its director stole about N$75 million from more than 70 investors. The ruling follows a November 2025 finding that Namfisa could be held liable for breaching its duty of care in failing to properly supervise the fraudulent asset manager.
27 May 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has sued former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete for N$4.3 million following a Supreme Court judgment that overturned earlier rulings in her favour. The fund argues Nghiwete was unfairly enriched after receiving salaries, benefits, and backpay linked to an arbitration award that was later set aside.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A Windhoek resident submitted a 161-page dossier to the Security Commission in April 2025 requesting President Nandi-Ndaitwah remove inspector general Joseph Shikongo from office, alleging corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions. Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general, though the president did not publicly state reasons for the suspension.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An appeal filed by Fishrot accused Otneel Shuudifonya against a postponement ruling was struck off the High Court roll at Windhoek Correctional Facility after the acting judge found his notice for leave to appeal did not comply with Criminal Procedure Act requirements.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Supreme Court found that former prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acted lawfully under the Public Service Act when she blocked the appointment of Phelem Masule as the Anti-Corruption Commission's chief of investigations and prosecutions in July 2020. Although the court found the High Court erred in setting aside her decision, it dismissed the government's appeal after determining the appellants failed to rely on the correct section of the Act in their appeal.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Judge president Petrus Damaseb praised retiring High Court and Supreme Court registrar Elsie Schickerling, who has served in the role for 17 years, for introducing judicial case management, court-connected mediation, electronic case filing, and overseeing the establishment of the High Court's northern division and building renovations. Schickerling is retiring from public service at the end of April.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Defence lawyers for accused in the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case have argued that the trial of the 10 individuals charged should proceed while two accused pursue appeals against the judge's refusal to step down from the case.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has halted government funds to the Kunene Regional Council, demanding removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb, whose appointment is being challenged in court. The council's chairperson Western Muharukua describes the fund freeze as unlawful pressure and says it threatens to disrupt salaries, services, and capital projects; the council plans to seek judicial review.
20 April 2026 · New Era →
A defence lawyer representing one of ten accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial has argued to the High Court that proceedings should continue while appeals against earlier rulings are pursued, citing delays since 2021 and the constitutional right to trial within a reasonable period. Other defence lawyers largely supported the argument, though one disagreed, and the judge is scheduled to hear further oral arguments on 24 April.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Red Soil Energy has appealed to the Supreme Court over the mines ministry's 2021 rejection of its petroleum exploration licence application for four offshore oil blocks. The company claims it was treated unfairly and differently from competing applicants, while the minister argues the application was incomplete and lacked required financial documentation.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has been allocated N$417.2 million for the 2026/2027 financial year to advance gender equity, child protection, and women's economic empowerment across Namibia. In the past year, the ministry supported 347 survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking, accommodated 329 street children in boarding schools, and expanded early childhood development enrolment from 110,726 to 126,213 across the country.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Competition Commission must reassess its investigation into alleged price-fixing by pharmacies linked to the Pharmaceutical Association of Namibia after the Supreme Court ruled the probe was conducted unlawfully, finding that the commission exceeded its legal authority by delegating investigative powers to its secretary.
10 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Three accused in the Fishrot fraud case—former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo—lost their Supreme Court appeal against an assets restraint order imposed under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The court upheld the High Court's 2023 confirmation of the restraint, which freezes assets including bank funds, property, vehicles, and luxury goods belonging to six of the accused, and ordered the three appellants to pay the prosecutor general's legal costs.
3 April 2026 · The Namibian →