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.
The Namibian
Supreme Court found Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acted lawfully under Public Service Act Section 7
“Former prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acted in accordance with a section of the Public Service Act when she set aside the appointment of the head of investigations and prosecutions of the Anti-Corruption Commission in July 2020, the Supreme Court has found.”
Supreme Court finds ex-PM’s ACC block lawfulThe Namibian
Supreme Court dismissed appeal filed by prime minister, ACC and government
“The finding was made in a judgement in which the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by the prime minister, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the government after a Windhoek High Court judge in April 2023 set aside Kuugongelwa-Amadhila's decision to stop the appointment of ACC investigator Phelem Masule as the ACC's chief of investigations and prosecutions.”
Supreme Court finds ex-PM’s ACC block lawfulThe Namibian
Supreme Court ruled that NaCC's investigation into alleged price-fixing was conducted unlawfully
“The apex court dismissed NaCC's appeal against a High Court judgement, finding that the commission acted outside its legal mandate by allowing its secretary to initiate and run the probe into a 50% medicine mark-up applied by pharmacies linked to the Pharmaceutical Association of Namibia (PAN).”
Competition commission reassesses pharmacies price-fixing after court setbackThe Namibian
Supreme Court ordered Shanghala, Hatuikulipi and Mwatelulo to pay prosecutor general's legal costs
“The court ordered Shanghala, Hatuikulipi and Mwatelulo to pay the prosecutor general's legal costs in the appeal, except for the costs of a supplementary appeal record filed at the end of June 2025.”
Fishrot accused lose appeal against assets restraint orderNew Era
Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that an outright ban on labour hire was unconstitutional but proper regulation was needed
“The ban was later overturned following a Supreme Court ruling in 2009 in a case brought by Africa Personnel Services, which argued that the prohibition violated the constitutional right to conduct business.”
Internship: Fertile ground for exploitation or opportunityThe Namibian
Supreme Court scheduled trial of Vitória de Barros Neto for 22 April
“The Supreme Court in Angola has scheduled the start of the trial of former Angolan fisheries minister Vitória de Barros Neto, accused by the public prosecutor's office of embezzlement, for 22 April.”
Angola sets 22 April trial for ex-minister Vitória de Barros NetoThe Namibian
Supreme Court ruled Diakité ineligible to run for president
“Last year, he declared his intention to stand in the presidential elections, which was rejected by the Supreme Court after it ruled he was ineligible.”
Army commander convicted of Guinea stadium massacre dies in prisonThe Namibian
Supreme Court admirably handles constitutional matters under article 79
“While our Supreme Court admirably handles constitutional matters under article 79 of the Constitution, the absence of a specialised court exposes minorities to the counter-majoritarian dilemma, where democratic majoritarianism risks trampling individual liberties in favour of popular sentiment.”
Time for a Constitutional CourtThe Namibian
Supreme Court made in 2023 ruling recognizing foreign same-sex marriages
“Even progressive Supreme Court rulings, such as the 2023 recognition of foreign same-sex marriages, face swift legislative reversal.”
Time for a Constitutional CourtThe Namibian
Supreme Court struck down a key part of Trump's tariffs policies
“The US has launched a new investigation into some of its biggest trading partners after the Supreme Court struck down a key part of President Donald Trump's tariffs policies last month.”
US launches probe into trading partners including the EU, China and IndiaThe 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 →