Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2025
The Namibian
Windhoek High Courtordered provisional liquidation ofEnercon Namibia and Erongo Petroleum
Source
“Deputy judge president Shafimana Ueitele ordered the provisional winding up of the company Enercon Namibia and the close corporation Erongo Petroleum, which by November 2023 owed a combined amount of more than N$381 million to a Namcor subsidiary, in a judgement delivered in the Windhoek High Court last week.”
Windhoek High Courtis hearingthe redline constitutional challenge case
Source
“Amupanda was undergoing cross-examination by advocate Raymond Heathcote in the Windhoek High Court, who on Wednesday described the case as "comical" and a mere political campaign.”
Windhoek High Courtis hearing case involvingJames Hatuikulipi, Sakeus Shanghala and Mike Nghipunya charged in Fishrot matter
Source
“James Hatuikulipi, Sakeus Shanghala and Mike Nghipunya, who are charged in the Fishrot case, in the Windhoek High Court, where they are trying to reverse a decision to move some of them to a different section of the jail in which they are being held.”
Windhoek High Courtset asideElectoral Commission's decision to deregister Christian Democratic Voice
Source
“The Electoral Commission of Namibia's decision to cancel the registration of Christian Democratic Voice (CDV) as a political party has been set aside by the High Court.”
Windhoek High CourtheardShaun Tieties admit guilt to murder and related charges
Source
“Shaun Tieties (38) admitted guilt on counts of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempting to obstruct the course of justice at the start of his trial before judge Claudia Claasen.”
Windhoek High Courtheard evidence in trial ofCaroline Nkata, Edward Nkata, and Rachel Kureva in connection with death of 9-year-old girl
Source
“Nkata's statement, which was recorded by magistrate Alweendo Venatius on 28 January 2020, became part of the evidence in her trial in the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday.”
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.
Why it matters
High Court rejecting Dippenaar's bid to appeal his murder conviction closes a major legal case and sets precedent for direct-intent convictions.
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.
The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Justice Dr Michael Charles Mtambo as an Acting Judge of the High Court for three years, effective from 1 June 2026. Dr Mtambo previously served as a Judge of the High Court of Malawi from 2007 to 2022, sitting in both the Commercial Division and the Constitutional Court.
The Roads Authority paid private lawyers more than N$2.6 million to discipline and fire two executives accused of inflating a vehicle procurement tender. Labour experts say the expense demonstrates how parastatals squander public money.
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.
The Windhoek High Court has concluded a defamation lawsuit in which businessman Benjamin Hauwanga sued Toivo Potgieter Simeon Nghinananye for N$500,000. Through an out-of-court settlement, Nghinananye admitted to making false statements about Hauwanga, issued an unconditional apology to be published on social media, and was ordered to pay N$200,000 suspended for five years on condition of no further defamation.
An unsuccessful bidder on a Walvis Bay pothole repair tender has taken the matter to the High Court, seeking to block the municipality from implementing the contract.
The Dissolution of Marriages Act of 2024, in effect today, replaces Namibia's fault-based divorce system with a no-fault framework based on the irretrievable breakdown of marriage, eliminating adultery and other matrimonial offences as grounds for divorce. Judge President Petrus Damaseb described the reform as "one of the most significant reforms in the history of Namibia's family law system," noting that the new emphasis is on whether the marriage has disintegrated beyond realistic restoration rather than identifying moral blame.
Immanuel Venonja (25) denied murdering Elisabeth Uwu-Khaes (21) by stabbing her in a bar in Otavi on 31 May 2024, read with provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, in Windhoek High Court. Venonja claimed Uwu-Khaes attacked him first and that he did not stab her, though he admitted they had previously been in a domestic relationship and shared a child.
Namibia's Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024 took effect on 3 June 2026, replacing fault-based divorce grounds (adultery, cruelty, desertion) with a single ground of "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." The reform also empowers Magistrate Courts to grant divorces for the first time, and seeks to reduce hostility and simplify procedures.
Amanda and Barnard Jantjies admitted guilt to over 800 charges each of fraud, theft, and money laundering involving close to N$10 million stolen from bus service Ekonolux between 2014 and 2018. Amanda, employed as a bookkeeper, made fraudulent payments from Ekonolux accounts to personal and business accounts under false pretences of supplier and client payments.
Immanuel Venonja, 25, pleaded not guilty in the Windhoek High Court to the murder of Elisabeth Uwu-Khaes, whom he allegedly stabbed in the back at a bar in Otavi on 31 May 2024. Uwu-Khaes died from her injuries on 1 June 2024; the state alleges Venonja also prevented bystanders from taking her for medical help.
Patric Gaingob was found guilty of murdering his wife, fellow teacher Merenta Gaingos, in a fatal knife attack in April 2019. The judge rejected his claims of automatism and amnesia, noting 12 stab wounds were recorded during post-mortem examination and finding direct intent to murder.
Mecthilde Karomo was sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment after being convicted of murdering her boyfriend Leonard Haupindi and Anastasia Matende by setting Haupindi's house on fire in Okahandja Park, Windhoek on 26 December 2022. The judge noted Karomo acted with "utter indifference" after starting the deadly blaze, driven by anger and jealousy.
The High Court has ordered the National Housing Enterprise to reinstate former sales and lending executive Willem George Titus and pay him N$3.7 million, finding his 2021 dismissal was substantive.
Benjamin Hauwanga and Simeon Nghinananye have settled a defamation case in which Hauwanga sued Nghinananye for N$500 000. Under the settlement made an order of the Windhoek High Court, Nghinananye agreed to publicly apologise and retract allegations, while Hauwanga withdrew his claim and waived legal costs; Nghinananye must pay N$200 000 if he repeats the defamatory allegations within five years.
Mecthilde Karomo (34) was sentenced in the Windhoek High Court to 35 years in prison for the murder of her ex-boyfriend Leonard Haupindi (36) and his new partner Anastasia Matende (31) after she set Haupindi's house on fire on 26 December 2022. Karomo was sentenced to 32 years on each of two counts of murder to be served concurrently, plus three years for arson.
Mecthilde Karomo, 34, was sentenced to an effective 35 years' imprisonment after being convicted of murdering two people by setting a house on fire in Windhoek on 26 December 2022. Judge Claudia Claasen imposed 32 years on each of two murder counts (served concurrently) and three years for arson.
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.
Quanito van Vuuren (28) and Sem Moses (22) pleaded not guilty to murder, two counts of rape, and robbery with aggravating circumstances in connection with the death of Vernon Gavin (53) in his Walvis Bay home on 30 December 2023. Moses denied being at the home at all, while Van Vuuren admitted being present but said he did not commit the crimes.
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.
A Windhoek High Court judge has authorised the deputy sheriff to sell Hodago Fishing's vessel Venus 1 through public auction after the financially troubled company failed to repay Standard Bank Namibia N$36 million in loan and facility agreements. Gendev Fishing Resources, in which the Swapo-owned company Guinas Investments holds 96.5%, has 45% shareholding in Hodago Fishing.
Deputy judge president Shafimana Ueitele dismissed an application by Namibia Central Intelligence Service director general Bamba Nghipandua to have a defamation case heard in secret, ruling that a clear case showing it is truly necessary must be made before restricting public access to court proceedings on national security grounds.
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.
The High Court has dismissed an urgent application by Namibia Central Intelligence Service director general Sinsy Nghipandua to have a defamation case heard behind closed doors, with deputy judge president Shafimana Ueitele ruling that broad national security claims do not justify secrecy in court proceedings. The case stems from a defamation lawsuit filed by senior public servant Fiina Elago against the NCIS and the minister of home affairs, claiming an NCIS official falsely stated her security vetting could not be finalised due to a pending case with her previous employer, which she denies.
Meatco is increasing its civil claim against former executive Patrick Liebenberg from N$6.1 million to more than N$7.5 million, accusing him of fraud, theft and misappropriation of company funds through livestock procurement transactions between 2024 and 2025.
The High Court has rejected an application by the Namibia Central Intelligence Service to hear a N$1.8 million defamation case brought by a former education executive in secret.
The High Court ruled that the Namibia Revenue Agency acted unlawfully when it retrospectively increased a customs penalty against First Edge Technology Distribution.
The Windhoek High Court dismissed an application by the Namibia Central Intelligence Service to hold a secret hearing in a N$1.8 million defamation lawsuit and to restrict media reporting on court documents. Judge Shafimana Ueitele ruled on 19 May 2026 that citizens have a right to know and press freedom must be upheld, rejecting NCIS Director-General Bamba Nghipandua's claim that disclosure would expose the agency's inner workings.
Mecthilde Karomo (34), convicted of murdering two people who died in a Windhoek house fire in December 2022, is awaiting sentencing. The prosecutor recommended life imprisonment or a minimum of 30 years per count, while the defence proposed 16 years per murder count plus 4 years for arson, with some sentences to run concurrently.
PIS Security Services has filed a review application at the High Court challenging a N$40 million three-year security contract awarded to Novo Security Services CC in October 2025, alleging that eight active Namibian police officers were falsely presented as employees and managers of Novo in its bid.