Thomas Masuku

Also known as: judge Thomas Masuku · Justice Masuku · Judge Masuku

High Court judge who presided over cryptocurrency fraud, GIPF embezzlement, corruption, and municipal governance cases in Namibia.

2021-12-122026-08-21

What’s been said

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

October 2024
13 OctThe Namibian
Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the ECN failed to give the NEFF an opportunity to be heard before cancelling its registration
Source
“The party won its case on 5 September, when judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the ECN failed to give the party an opportunity to be heard before the decision to cancel its registration was taken.”
ECN admits error in deregistration of CDV and NEFF
10 OctThe Namibian
Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that ECN failed to give party opportunity to be heard before cancelling registration
Source
“The party won its case on 5 September, when judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the ECN failed to give the party an opportunity to be heard before the decision to cancel its registration was taken.”
Electoral commission reverses decision to deregister Christian Democratic Voice
September 2024
19 SeptThe Namibian
Judge Thomas Masuku ruled in favour of NEFF, setting aside ECN's deregistration decision
Source
“Earlier this month, the High Court, under judge Thomas Masuku, ruled in favour of NEFF.”
Electoral commission reviews NEFF High Court ruling as party remains registered
December 2021
12 DecThe Namibian
High Court judge Thomas Masuku granted citizenship to the son of same-sex couple Phillip Lühl and Guillermo Delgado
Source
“Its dancing, brightly clad estimated 300 participants also linger at the home affairs ministry, which recently announced its intention to appeal against High Court judge Thomas Masuku's granting of citizenship to the son of local same-sex couple Phillip Lühl (Namibian) and Guillermo Delgado who was born through surrogacy in South Africa.”
Namibia Pride Week Paints the City Rainbow

Society

High Court upholds warrantless police search in crypto fraud case

The News

The High Court of Namibia has dismissed a challenge to a warrantless search and seizure conducted by police at the Buitepos border post in March 2024, involving businessman Coenraad Barend Nolte Botha and others suspected of fraud involving N$163 million. Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the police were competent to investigate and that the seizure of electronic devices, financial records, and a cryptocurrency hardware wallet was lawful.

7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 7 August

High Court upholds warrantless police search in crypto fraud case
The High Court of Namibia has dismissed a challenge to a warrantless search and seizure conducted by police at the Buitepos border post in March 2024, involving businessman Coenraad Barend Nolte Botha and others suspected of fraud involving N$163 million. Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the police were competent to investigate and that the seizure of electronic devices, financial records, and a cryptocurrency hardware wallet was lawful.
7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 6 August

Businessman sues accuser for N$300,000 over rape claim
Businessman Mathews Hamutenya is suing a Windhoek resident for N$300,000, alleging she falsely accused him of rape from 2006 and defamed him. The Office of the Prosecutor General declined to prosecute him in December 2024 after investigation of the complaint she filed in August 2024.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 July

Corruption case against former Grootfontein councillor struck from roll
A corruption case against former Grootfontein councillor Etnee Jack Tsanigab, arrested in 2020 for allegedly using family members' names to buy property cheaply from the local authority, was struck from the court roll after the State indicated it was not ready to proceed. In a related matter, High Court Judge Thomas Masuku dismissed Tsanigab's N$771 008 claim against Grootfontein Municipality for alleged jackhammer rental costs, finding he could not provide supporting invoices.
17 July 2026 · Informanté →
Corruption case against former Grootfontein councillor struck from court roll
Former Grootfontein councillor Etnee Jack Tsanigab, arrested in 2020 on suspicion of using family members' names to buy property cheaply from the local authority, has had his case struck from the court roll after the State indicated it was not ready to proceed. In a related matter, a High Court judge dismissed Tsanigab's N$771,008 claim against Grootfontein Municipality over a jackhammer rental dispute.
17 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 10 July

High Court sets aside Keetmanshoop council no-confidence vote as unlawful
The High Court declared that Keetmanshoop municipal council meetings held on 7 May and 4 June 2026, at which councillors Easter Isaak and Anneliza Knaus were removed from the management committee, violated the law, standing rules, and the Constitution. The court ruled the no-confidence motion procedurally defective and ordered that Isaak and Knaus be restored to their positions.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 19 June

Court suspends Keetmanshoop councillor removals, orders reinstatement
High Court Judge Thomas Masuku has suspended implementation of a no-confidence vote that removed two Landless People's Movement councillors from the Keetmanshoop Municipality in May, and ordered their immediate reinstatement pending final determination. The councillors, Annelise Knaus and Easter Isaak, argue their removal was unlawful and that the council meetings that led to it violated standing rules under the Local Authorities Act.
19 June 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 18 June

LPM leader dismisses Keetmanshoop mayor over councillor vote
The Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi dismissed ousted Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi after she allegedly failed to ensure a motion of no confidence against two fellow LPM councillors was brought to council, with derogatory WhatsApp messages and audio recordings revealing long-standing tensions between them.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Court halts Keetmanshoop council's removal of management committee members
The High Court of Namibia has ordered the reinstatement of two Keetmanshoop municipality management committee members—Easter Isaak and Anneliza Knaus—who were removed through votes of no confidence in May and June, and has interdicted the municipality from implementing those resolutions pending the finalisation of the main application.
18 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 18 May

High Court orders two former GIPF employees to repay N$18.6m
Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that two former annuity administrators, Martin Smith and Vabiola Aoses, were responsible for fraudulent payments totalling N$18.6 million from the Government Institutions Pension Fund and must repay that amount plus 20% annual interest.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Government defends N$13-million Katutura Hospital negligence lawsuit
The government has filed notice to defend a N$13-million lawsuit brought by a woman who claims a broken surgical needle was left lodged in her uterus following 2016 surgery at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. In a special plea, government attorneys denied allegations of negligence against the Ministry of Health and Social Services, arguing medical staff acted with appropriate expertise and care.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

High Court orders N$18.6 million repayment in GIPF fraud case
High Court judge Thomas Masuku ruled in favour of the Government Institutions Pension Fund, ordering two former employees, Martin Eugen Smith and Vabiola Aoses, to repay N$18,664,657.59 they allegedly embezzled by creating false documents to reactivate suspended child annuitant benefits and channelling the funds into personal accounts.
12 May 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 19 March

Amushelelo and Cloete seek consolidation of 360 fraud charges
Social activist Michael Amushelelo and business partner Gregory Cloete have asked the High Court to consolidate 360 fraud and money laundering charges against them, claiming several counts are duplications. The two face allegations of defrauding investors through an investment scheme known as Project One Million between 2018 and 2019.
19 March 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 12 February

Veteran lawyer Conradie convicted on anti-corruption charges in MTC case
High Court Judge Thomas Masuku convicted lawyer Dirk Conradie and Sara Damases on two Anti-Corruption Act charges after a long-running trial, finding they corruptly solicited gratification and conspired to breach the law in connection with an MTC advertising tender worth about N$60 million. Conradie was acquitted on a third charge of corruptly using his former position as MTC board chairperson.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

Lawyer Dirk Conradie convicted of corruption over MTC tender
Prominent lawyer Dirk Conradie has been found guilty of corruption and conspiracy to commit corruption in relation to a N$60 million MTC telecommunications tender. The Windhoek High Court convicted him of attempting to bribe business figures with an advertising contract in exchange for accepting his co-accused Sara Damases as a black economic empowerment partner.
11 February 2026 · New Era →
Prominent lawyer Conradie guilty of corruption in MTC contract scheme
High Court Judge Thomas Masuku found lawyer Dirk Conradie and Sarah Damases guilty of contravening the Anti-Corruption Act after they tried to influence an advertising company to hire Damases as a BEE partner in exchange for securing a N$60 million MTC contract. Conradie, who was MTC board chairperson at the time, was found guilty on two counts: contravening section 42 of the Anti-Corruption Act and conspiring to commit an offence, though the judge found him not guilty on a third count relating to use of public office for gratification.
11 February 2026 · Informanté →