Windhoek High Court

Also known as: the High Court · High Court for the Erongo region

Windhoek High Court — Namibian court hearing civil and criminal cases, with a Northern Local Division in Oshakati.

2020-07-242026-09-08

What’s been said

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

September 2026
6 SeptThe Namibian
The High Court found Mufeti failed to apply his mind when granting environmental clearance for mining in the Erindi Private Game Reserve
Source
“Earlier this year, the High Court found that Mufeti failed to apply his mind when granting environmental clearance for mining in the Erindi Private Game Reserve between Okahandja and Omaruru.”
Editorial: How Does Mufeti Get Away With Environmental Destruction?
3 SeptInformanté
Windhoek High Court granted summary judgment against Malakia ordering him to pay N$1.1 million to Bank Windhoek in December 2025
Source
“In December 2025, the High Court granted a summary judgment against Malakia, ordering him to pay over N$1.1 million for a mortgage loan involving Bank Windhoek.”
Creditors continue to haunt Malakia Elindi as Bank Windhoek comes for BMW debt
3 SeptThe Namibian
Windhoek High Court dismissed special plea raised by government and health minister
Source
“A special plea raised by the government and the minister of health and social services has been dismissed in the Windhoek High Court.”
Court dismisses Govt defence in N$13m medical claim
3 SeptWindhoek Observer
Windhoek High Court rejected attempt to have medical negligence lawsuit thrown out on prescription
Source
“A broken surgical needle allegedly left inside a woman's uterus for more than a decade has landed the government in a N$13 million legal battle after the High Court rejected an attempt to have the medical negligence lawsuit thrown out on prescription.”
State fails to stop N$13m lawsuit over needle left in uterusSostenus Wilherm
3 SeptWindhoek Observer
Windhoek High Court rejected state's attempt to have medical negligence lawsuit thrown out on prescription
Source
“A broken surgical needle allegedly left inside a woman's uterus for more than a decade has landed the government in a N$13 million legal battle after the High Court rejected an attempt to have the medical negligence lawsuit thrown out on prescription.”
State fails to stop N$13m lawsuit over needle left in uterus
2 SeptThe Namibian
Windhoek High Court issued an interim property preservation order in respect of eight Namibian bank accounts at the end of December 2024
Source
“An interim property preservation order in respect of eight Namibian bank accounts that was issued by a judge of the Windhoek High Court at the end of December 2024 has now been confirmed, in a judgement delivered on Monday.”
N$49.4m frozen in Namibian accounts over illegal coal mining in SA
2 SeptWindhoek Observer
Windhoek High Court will have serving at its Northern Local Division in Oshakati Justice Tommasi during her four-month appointment
Source
“Justice Tommasi will serve at the High Court's Northern Local Division in Oshakati during her four-month appointment.”
SWORN-IN |
1 SeptThe Namibian
Windhoek High Court heard Murangi's trial scheduled to begin
Source
“With the trial of murder accused Tjizake Murangi (25) scheduled to start in the Windhoek High Court yesterday, defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht informed judge Claudia Claasen he was withdrawing from the matter after receiving conflicting instructions from his client.”
Lawyer withdraws from city knife murder case
August 2026
31 AugNamibian Sun
Windhoek High Court found a five-year delay justified permanent release from disciplinary proceedings
Source
“A Swakopmund psychiatrist accused of rape and indecent assault has been permanently released from professional disciplinary proceedings after the High Court found that a five-year ...”
Doctor escapes alleged rape hearing due to 5-year delay
28 AugInformanté
Windhoek High Court has found Michael Amushelelo in contempt of court
Source
“THE Windhoek High Court has found social activist Michael Amushelelo in contempt of court after he was sued by former Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo.”
High Court finds Amushelelo in contempt of court again

Business

Supreme Court orders recalculation of Air Namibia severance payments

The News

The Supreme Court has ordered Air Namibia's liquidators to recalculate amounts owed to 81 former employees for accumulated leave, annual bonuses, severance pay, and notice period pay, and to pay the difference between recalculated amounts and payments already made in December 2022. The court upheld the liquidators' appeal regarding the interpretation of "remuneration" under employment agreements.

20 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Supreme Court orders recalculation of Air Namibia severance payments
The Supreme Court has ordered Air Namibia's liquidators to recalculate amounts owed to 81 former employees for accumulated leave, annual bonuses, severance pay, and notice period pay, and to pay the difference between recalculated amounts and payments already made in December 2022. The court upheld the liquidators' appeal regarding the interpretation of "remuneration" under employment agreements.
20 hours ago · The Namibian →

Sunday 6 September

Supreme Court invalidates school hostel food tender
The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education, upholding a High Court decision that set aside a multimillion-dollar tender for supplying food to government school hostels. The court found the procurement process unlawful because the board continued proceedings after the 180-day bid validity period had expired.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Environmental commissioner Mufeti grants permits despite evident flaws
An editorial argues that environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti is granting environmental clearance certificates without proper due diligence, citing his approval of marine phosphate mining despite fisheries minister opposition and a High Court finding that he failed to apply his mind when clearing mining at Erindi Private Game Reserve, where he overlooked endangered species.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 5 September

Murder accused claims police never explained constitutional rights
One of three men accused of robbing and murdering a Windhoek resident at Avis Dam in July 2020 claims police never informed him of his constitutional rights from arrest in November 2020 until now, though the detective who questioned him disputes this, testifying he did explain the right to silence, legal representation, and legal aid before the accused agreed to make a statement.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

Supreme Court upholds High Court's cancellation of school food tender
The Supreme Court upheld a High Court judgment canceling a multimillion-dollar school hostel food supply tender for government schools across Namibia's 14 regions after the Central Procurement Board and Ministry of Education appealed the decision. The tender was found to have irregularities, including the exclusion of a bidder for failing to provide an English translation of an Afrikaans-language supporting document.
4 September 2026 · Informanté →
Cloete brothers appeal bail denial in N$300m diamond heist case
George and Bino Cloete, arrested in May 2025 in connection with a January 2025 diamond heist at Namib Desert Diamonds involving over N$300 million, are appealing against the Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court decision to deny them bail. They face charges including money laundering, trafficking of stolen goods, and contravening the Diamond Act, with prosecutors alleging that approximately N$2 million in deposits linked to the heist were used to purchase livestock and a vehicle after diamonds were sold in South Africa.
4 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 3 September

Bank Windhoek sues Malakia Elindi for N$2.7 million BMW debt
Bank Windhoek has brought a summary judgment application against businessman Malakia Elindi to recoup over N$2.7 million used to purchase a luxury BMW vehicle. Elindi, arrested in July 2025 alongside his brother in a Namcor fraud case alleging N$400 million in losses, has faced mounting creditor claims including prior court orders totalling millions in outstanding debts.
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
High Court allows N$13m medical negligence claim to proceed
The Windhoek High Court has dismissed a special plea by the government and health minister in a case where a woman is suing them for N$13 million after a surgical needle fragment was left in her body during 2016 surgery at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. The dismissal allows her medical negligence claim to continue.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
High Court allows N$13m negligence lawsuit over surgical needle to proceed
A woman is suing the ministry of health and social services and the government for N$13 million after a surgical needle allegedly broke and became lodged in her uterus during a procedure at Katutura Intermediate Hospital in February 2016. The High Court rejected the state's attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed on prescription grounds, allowing the claim to proceed, though the court has not yet ruled on whether negligence occurred.
3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
High Court allows N$13m medical negligence lawsuit to proceed
The High Court has rejected the state's attempt to dismiss a N$13 million lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges a surgical needle broke and became lodged in her uterus during a 2016 procedure at Katutura Intermediate Hospital. Judge Thomas Masuku ruled that the claim had not expired on prescription, allowing the negligence case to proceed.
3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 2 September

N$49.4 million frozen in accounts over SA coal mining
A Namibian High Court judge has confirmed a property preservation order freezing N$49.4 million in eight bank accounts belonging to Jacobus and Elza Jordaan and their entities, following allegations of illegal coal mining at their farm in South Africa's Mpumalanga province from November 2021 to September 2023.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice Tommasi sworn in as High Court acting judge
Lady Justice Marlene Antoinette Tommasi was formally sworn in as an acting judge of the High Court on 1 September 2026, effective until 31 December 2026. She will serve at the High Court's Northern Local Division in Oshakati.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 1 September

Defence lawyer withdraws from Windhoek murder trial
Tjizake Murangi (25), accused of murdering his former girlfriend in a knife attack two years ago, will reapply for state-funded legal aid after his defence lawyer withdrew from the case citing conflicting instructions from his client. Murangi faces nine charges including murder and domestic violence-related offences.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 31 August

Judge rejects free speech defence in contempt case
High Court judge Nate Ndauendapo found social activist Michael Amushelelo in contempt of court for Facebook remarks about suspended police inspector general Joseph Shikongo, rejecting Amushelelo's free speech defence. Amushelelo was sentenced to one month imprisonment, suspended for one year, conditional on refraining from further disparaging statements and issuing a written apology to Shikongo within seven days.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
High Court dismisses council disciplinary case against psychologist
A High Court acting judge has dismissed a disciplinary hearing instituted by the Health Professions Council of Namibia against specialist psychologist Dr Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, who had been accused of raping a patient, finding that his constitutional rights to a fair and speedy trial were violated.
31 August 2026 · Informanté →
Psychiatrist freed from rape case due to five-year delay
A Swakopmund psychiatrist accused of rape and indecent assault has been permanently released from professional disciplinary proceedings after the High Court found a five-year delay.
31 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 28 August

High Court finds Amushelelo in contempt of court for breaching order
The Windhoek High Court has found social activist Michael Amushelelo in contempt of court after he was sued by former Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo for violating a court order prohibiting defamatory remarks about Shikongo on social media. Amushelelo faces a one-month suspended imprisonment sentence.
28 August 2026 · Informanté →
Judge rules Amushelelo in contempt of court over social media
Social activist Michael Amushelelo has been found in contempt of court and sentenced to a suspended one-month prison term for breaching a settlement agreement with suspended police inspector general Joseph Shikongo by making remarks about him on social media. The sentence is suspended for one year on condition that Amushelelo refrains from publishing defamatory material about Shikongo and issues a formal written apology within seven days.
28 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 27 August

State considers guilty pleas in Windhoek transgender murder case
The state and defence lawyers are exploring possible guilty pleas from two men, Elias Nandomba (20) and Mervin Beukes (21), accused of murdering transgender woman Christof Frederik (30) in Otjomuise on 2 May 2024. The accused face charges including murder, rape, violating a dead human body, and defeating the course of justice in connection with the killing.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
High Court dismisses City of Windhoek plea in injury damages claim
The Windhoek High Court has rejected a special plea by the City of Windhoek seeking to dismiss a worker's claim for N$4 million in damages for injuries allegedly sustained while employed as an artisan mechanic. The former employee, who worked in the council's emergency section for over 10 years, claims the injuries—including a cracked shoulder, abdominal hernia, and degenerative osteoarthritis—resulted from CoW's negligence in failing to provide a safe working environment.
27 August 2026 · Informanté →
G4S seeks dismissal of Namdia diamond heist lawsuit
G4S Secure Solutions has filed a case management report seeking High Court directions to dismiss a civil lawsuit from Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) for over N$300 million in damages for negligence related to a diamond heist on 18 January 2025. Namdia has declined to disclose evidence including NAMPOL investigation dockets, forensic reports, CCTV footage, and documentation on the stolen diamonds, citing confidentiality reasons.
27 August 2026 · Informanté →
Court of Appeal: Housebreaking violates privacy beyond property loss
The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against a housebreaking conviction, ruling that housebreaking with intent to steal constitutes an invasion of privacy and deprivation of hard-earned possessions, warranting heavy sentences to protect vulnerable members of society.
27 August 2026 · New Era →

Monday 24 August

High Court orders medical release recommendation for paralysed inmate
A High Court judge has ordered the medical officer of Windhoek Correctional Facility to recommend the release of inmate Khamastar Ndukireepo (49), who became paralysed while serving a 20-year murder sentence. The judge found the medical officer's earlier refusal to recommend release on medical grounds conflicted with constitutional protections of fundamental rights and human dignity.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 23 August

Terrorism case translation quoted at N$462,000
A company has quoted N$462,000 to translate evidence from Arabic into English for a terrorism and high treason case involving accused Jona Hangula in the High Court, with the Namibian Police responsible for the cost and a procurement process required before the work can begin.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 21 August

Ex-Namcor manager seeks court order on stalled farm purchase
Cornelius Willemse, former manager at Namcor, has filed a High Court review application to compel the Ministry of Agriculture to decide on his purchase of Farm Groot Driehoekvlakte in Hardap Region. The ministry halted the transaction after learning Willemse faced criminal investigations and the Anti-Corruption Commission advised against releasing public funds while asset restraint proceedings were pending.
21 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 20 August

Man convicted of murdering girlfriend in Otjiwarongo knife attack
Protasius Kuvirua (35) was found guilty in the High Court of murdering his girlfriend Auguste Jonas (28) with a knife at her flat in Otjiwarongo on 19 March 2023. He was also convicted of assault by threat after chasing another man while wielding a knife; Jonas died from a stab wound to the heart and had thirteen stab injuries recorded during post-mortem examination.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian retracts article about Musariri's New Era appointment
The Namibian has retracted its 14 November print article and 16 November website article stating that New Era revoked Confidence Musariri's appointment, clarifying that Musariri was seconded to New Era by the Namibia Press Agency, not appointed by New Era. The retraction and apology were made pursuant to a High Court settlement agreement.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 19 August

Hengari reduces libel damages claim against rape complainant
Former agriculture minister Mac Hengari's lawyer has filed an amended defamation claim in the Windhoek High Court, reducing the amount demanded from the rape complainant and her mother to N$500,000 each, while lowering the claim against newspaper Confidénte and its editor Max Hamata to N$1 million. The amounts demanded from two police officers, the inspector general, and the minister of safety and security remain unchanged at N$10.25 million.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Windhoek court provisionally withdraws N$4m Zambezi corruption case
Prosecutors have provisionally withdrawn a long-running corruption case against six Zambezi Regional Council officials at the Windhoek High Court, following a previous withdrawal in October 2024. The case concerns alleged corruption involving more than N$4 million in capital projects in the Kongola constituency.
19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 18 August

Kunene Regional Council budget frozen since March
The Kunene Regional Council's 2026/27 budget has remained frozen since March due to a legal dispute over the reinstatement of chief regional officer George Kamseb, leaving the council unable to pay utilities and halting operational and capital projects. The council is only managing to pay staff salaries through a monthly arrangement involving two finance officials travelling to Windhoek, and is awaiting the Supreme Court's pronouncement on the matter.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →