Also known as: the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Namibia — highest appellate court that reviews High Court decisions and handles constitutional matters in Namibian law.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
The Supreme Court of Namibia ruled that LLPBN did not meet legal standard for wasted costs
“The Supreme Court of Namibia has ruled that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) did not meet the legal standard to claim "wasted costs" in a dispute linked to the veterinary cordon fence, known as the redline.”
Supreme Court throws out LLPBN’s redline cost appealNew Era
Supreme Court of Namibia consistently held risk of interference with witnesses and investigations in Fishrot case was real and substantial
“In evaluating these facts, the courts consistently held that the risk of interference with witnesses and investigations was not speculative, but real and substantial.”
Opinion – Understanding Namcor, Fishrot outcomesNew Era
Supreme Court of Namibia upheld High Court order restraining accused from accessing forfeited assets
“The Supreme Court of Namibia last Thursday upheld a High Court order restraining the accused in the 'Fishrot corruption saga' from accessing forfeited assets.”
Fishrot assets to remain frozenInformanté
The Supreme Court of Namibia has declined to invoke its powers to review Salmaan Jacobs' matter seeking to overturn a High Court ruling
“THE Supreme Court of Namibia has declined to invoke its powers to review a matter wherein the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, and former Chief Regional Officer (CRO) of the //Kharas Region, Salmaan Jacobs, sought to overturn a High Court appeal ruling which resulted in him being found guilty of corruption.”
Jacobs review application failsThe Namibian
Supreme Court of Namibia found that trial court did not have jurisdiction over Mr Likanyi due to collusion between Botswana and Namibian officials
“In a Namibian case involving a high treason fugitive taken from Botswana with the involvement of Namibian agents and brought to Namibia, the Supreme Court of Namibia found that the trial court did not have jurisdiction because of the collusion between Botswana and Namibian officials at the time when the fugitive, one Mr Likanyi, was taken from Botswana.”
Abduction of Fugitives and JurisdictionThe Namibian
Supreme Court of Namibia referred the looting of over N$247 million from SME Bank to the prosecutor general for further investigation
“The Supreme Court of Namibia this year referred the looting of over N$247 million from SME Bank to the prosecutor general for further investigation.”
N$18m stolen from SME Bank paid to Mugabe’s pilotThe Namibian
Supreme Court of Namibia advanced in Tsumib and Others v Government of Republic of Namibia case that Namibian law does not permit class action
“PHIL YA NANGOLOH IN ONE OF ITS latest judgements – the case of Tsumib and Others v Government of Republic of Namibia and Others (SA 53 of 2019) [2022] NASC 6 (16 March 2022) at paragraph 74 – the Supreme Court of Namibia advanced that "Namibian law does not permit class action"”
Ubi Jus, Ibi Remedium: Class Action in NamibiaThe Namibian publishes an editorial marking Hage Geingob's 85th birthday (his second since his death) and celebrating his role as chief architect of Namibia's Constitution. The piece notes that President Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent reaffirmation of commitment to the rule of law and democratic institutions reflects continuity with Geingob's legacy of constitutionalism.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian publishes an editorial marking Hage Geingob's 85th birthday (his second since his death) and celebrating his role as chief architect of Namibia's Constitution. The piece notes that President Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent reaffirmation of commitment to the rule of law and democratic institutions reflects continuity with Geingob's legacy of constitutionalism.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An analysis argues that Namibia's new approach to divorce law aligns with historical legal traditions and contemporary social changes, drawing on examples from Roman law and recent English legal philosophy to support reforming divorce procedures.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Supreme Court of Namibia ruled that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia did not meet the legal standard to claim "wasted costs" in a dispute linked to the veterinary cordon fence. The court found that the Board's claim that changes to court papers caused it to incur unnecessary legal costs did not meet the threshold for wasted costs.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
According to legal researcher Brian Ngutjinazo, the contrasting bail decisions in the Namcor and Fishrot corruption cases reflect consistent application of Namibia's Criminal Procedure Act rather than inconsistency. In Namcor, courts found insufficient grounds for detention, while in Fishrot, evidence of alleged witness interference and the scale of organized corruption justified continued detention under the law's test of whether the interests of justice permit release.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Supreme Court has upheld a High Court order preventing those accused in the Fishrot corruption case from accessing forfeited assets, rejecting an appeal by former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo. The court found that the Anti-Corruption Commission had proper authority to conduct the investigation and that the restraint order remains valid pending the outcome of the criminal trial, which is scheduled to recommence in March 2026.
8 April 2026 · New Era →
Swiss multinational PUMA Energy Namibia has filed an urgent application in the High Court seeking reinstatement at Eros and Ondangwa Airports after Namibia Airports Company locked it out, preventing it from providing aviation fueling services. The dispute stems from NAC's 2021 award of the fuel services tender to Central Oil Namibia, which PUMA claims violated procurement law; PUMA's appeal to the Supreme Court remains pending.
18 March 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined Ethiopian Airlines at Hosea Kutako International Airport to commemorate the airline's 80th anniversary and celebrate International Women's Day, highlighting women's growing role in aviation and progress toward gender equality. She pointed to Namibia's milestones including female leadership in government and sectors such as medicine, engineering and aviation, and noted that an all-female Ethiopian Airlines crew arrival sends a powerful message to young girls about career opportunities.
10 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Supreme Court of Namibia has declined to review Salmaan Jacobs's application to overturn a High Court ruling that found him guilty of corruption; Jacobs, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, is set to appear in Keetmanshoop Regional Court on 12 May 2026 for sentencing after the High Court in November 2025 found him guilty of using his former office as CRO of //Kharas Region to transfer N$30,000 to a company owned by himself and his wife under false pretenses.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened Namibia's legal year at the Supreme Court today, marking the start of a year the justice ministry hopes will bring meaningful reform, improved efficiency, and strengthened public confidence. The judiciary has established a Safety and Security Task Force to address concerns following recent attacks on prosecutors, while legal professionals advocate for plea bargaining reforms and amendments to obsolete laws.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
Namibian law has moved away from the old principle that courts may try defendants regardless of how they were brought into custody, instead following a modern approach that courts must decline jurisdiction when a fugitive is abducted in violation of international law or another state's sovereignty. The author argues that this principle should apply universally, including to the abduction of heads of state.
18 January 2026 · The Namibian →