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The Namibian
Vikitoria Hango says office has not identified any backlog of cases attributable solely to shortage of interpreters
“The office has not identified any backlog of cases in the courts attributable solely to a shortage of interpreters," she says.”
Opuwo justice ‘lost in translation’The Namibian
Vikitoria Hango tells Nampa that the current structure of the judiciary presents challenges in ensuring that all indigenous languages are represented at every court simultaneously
“Judiciary spokesperson Vikitoria Hango tells Nampa in a media response that the current structure of the judiciary presents challenges in ensuring that all indigenous languages are represented at every court simultaneously.”
Judiciary clarifies interpreter deployment at Opuwo courtThe Namibian
Vikitoria Hango says the Office of the Judiciary has not identified any backlog of court cases attributable solely to a shortage of interpreters
“She adds that the Office of the Judiciary has not identified any backlog of court cases attributable solely to a shortage of interpreters, noting that mechanisms are in place to ensure proceedings remain fair and accessible.”
Judiciary clarifies interpreter deployment at Opuwo courtThe Namibian
Vikitoria Hango said accused have the right to privacy; photographs require permission.
“"The accused also have the right to privacy. Unless you are just going to take your notes, it's okay. But the moment you want to take a picture, you must ask for permission. It has always been like that," Office of the Judiciary spokesperson Vikitoria Hango said this week.”
The Injustice of Selective JusticeMotorists with outstanding traffic admissions of guilt fines have been offered a two-month amnesty from 3 August to 30 September to settle their fines, including those whose payment deadlines have expired. Payments can be made in person at district courts during working hours or via electronic funds transfer.
21 hours ago · The Namibian →
Motorists with outstanding traffic admissions of guilt fines have been offered a two-month amnesty from 3 August to 30 September to settle their fines, including those whose payment deadlines have expired. Payments can be made in person at district courts during working hours or via electronic funds transfer.
21 hours ago · The Namibian →
The Namibian Judiciary is preparing to enable magistrates' courts across Namibia to hear and determine divorce matters, bringing divorce services closer to communities. Regional magistrates will be empowered to grant divorce orders and make rulings on related matters including maintenance, parental responsibilities, and distribution of matrimonial property once preparations are complete.
23 June 2026 · New Era →
The Office of the Judiciary is preparing to facilitate the hearing and determination of divorce matters in Magistrates' Courts countrywide, with administrative, operational, and procedural processes currently being finalised. The public will be notified once the service is ready to commence.
19 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Judicial Commission is relaunching its search for a new Prosecutor-General after eight shortlisted candidates failed a written assessment in May 2026, with scores ranging from 30 to 49 marks out of 100. The new recruitment process will conduct the written assessment on an open-book basis.
10 June 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
The government has allocated N$512 million to the Office of the Judiciary for the 2026/2027 financial year, with N$497 million for operations and N$15 million for development projects including construction of magistrates' courts in Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo. The allocation reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the justice system and expanding court capacity in underserved areas.
8 April 2026 · New Era →
The Judicial Service Commission has decided to hire a limited number of foreign judges on fixed-term contracts to serve in the High Court's civil stream to reduce case backlogs. The Commission said the move became necessary because domestic candidates, particularly magistrates, lack the specialised expertise in civil law required for complex civil cases, and senior legal practitioners have been reluctant to accept permanent judicial positions.
10 March 2026 · Informanté →
Court proceedings in Opuwo have been delayed due to a shortage of magistrates and interpreters, with one magistrate managing two court rolls and inadequate coverage for Otjiherero and Damara/Nama speakers. A local lawyer warns the delays violate the right to fair trial, while the judiciary says it faces structural challenges in interpreting all indigenous languages across courts.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Office of the Judiciary has clarified that interpreter allocation at courts is determined by geographical location and dominant regional languages, following concerns about the availability of Otjiherero and Damara/Nama interpretation services at Opuwo Magistrate's Court. The Judiciary spokesperson stated that systematic processes are in place to source specific language interpreters in advance and that no case backlog has been attributed solely to interpreter shortages.
29 January 2026 · The Namibian →