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Friday, 24 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 24 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Windhoek High Court

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

Namibia's principal court handling civil, commercial, and serious criminal cases, as shown in coverage of high-profile disputes including murder, terrorism, and administrative appeals.

2020-07-242026-07-24

What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026
  2. New Era

    Windhoek High Court Judge Naomi Shivute struck an application by the State seeking leave to appeal against bail granted to Cornelius Cedric Willemse

    Source

    Windhoek High Court Judge Naomi Shivute yesterday struck an application by the State that sought leave to appeal against the bail granted to Cornelius Cedric Willemse.

    Willemse bail appeal dismissed
  3. The Namibian

    Windhoek High Court struck off the state's application for leave to appeal

    Source

    An application in which the state is asking to be permitted to appeal against the granting of bail to Willemse (53) was struck off the court roll in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.

    State sent back to the start in Namcor bail appeal bid
  4. The Namibian

    Windhoek High Court delivered judgment affirming rights of detained Fishrot accused

    Source

    The people charged in the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and their human rights should be respected, it is stated in a judgement delivered in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday.

    Judge affirms rights of detained Fishrot accused
  5. The Namibian

    Windhoek High Court heard oral arguments on appeals against bail refusal

    Source

    Addressing judges Eileen Rakow and Philanda Christiaan on the second day of the hearing of oral arguments on appeals against the refusal of bail to the six accused, defence lawyer Sisa Namandje remarked: "With greatest respect, I continue asking, 'Did we actually have court in the magistrate's court?' A judicial tribunal, a judicial hearing. The big answer is: 'No, we did not actually'."

    Namandje claims Namcor bail hearing was not handled ‘competently'
  6. The Namibian

    Windhoek High Court set aside decision to move four accused from C Section to Echo Unit

    Source

    A Windhoek High Court judge has set aside a decision to move four of the accused in the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering trial from a part of Windhoek Correctional Facility where they were initially held in custody.

    Judge sets aside decision to move Fishrot accused in prison
  7. The Namibian

    Windhoek High Court is experiencing a bottleneck from centralised cases

    Source

    It is time the stupidity of centralising all High Court cases in Windhoek is halted.

    Ending the Windhoek High Court bottleneck: Why Namibia Must Take Justice to the People
  8. New Era

    Windhoek High Court convicted Dirk Conradie and Sara Damases of corruption-related offences

    Source

    Windhoek High Court Judge Thomas Masuku yesterday stated that, in his view, Conradie is the one who had information about the MTC tender outcomes.

    Corruption: Dirk Conradie convicted
  9. The Namibian

    Windhoek High Court granted a default judgement for N$14 million against the health minister in November 2024

    Source

    According to a court order seen by The Namibian, a default judgement for the payment of N$14 million was granted against the health minister in November 2024.

    Health ministry denies reports about N$14m court judgement
  10. The Namibian

    The Windhoek High Court received recusal application on Tuesday against acting judge Marilize du Plessis in Fishrot case

    Source

    An application in which Shanghala and Hatuikulipi are asking for Du Plessis's recusal from the Fishrot case about the alleged unlawful allocation and use of Namibian fish quotas was filed at the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday.

    Shanghala, Hatuikulipi seek acting judge du Plessis’s recusal in Fishrot corruption trial
  11. Informanté

    Windhoek High Court has experienced shortage particularly dire in the civil stream with seven judges

    Source

    The shortage at the High Court is particularly dire in the civil stream.

    Namibian judges buckling under the caseload

Today

  1. Construction payment dispute referred to court mediation

    The High Court has ordered Manani Investments CC and August 26 Construction (Pty) Ltd to participate in mediation over nearly N$800,000 in unpaid construction work. The mediation is scheduled for 29 July 2026 at the High Court in Windhoek, with a status hearing set for 8 September 2026.

    7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

Yesterday

  1. Two men plead guilty to murdering transgender woman Windhoek

    Two young men accused of brutally murdering a transgender person in Windhoek intend to plead guilty to murder and related charges, though they will deny counts of rape. The victim, Christof Frederik, was stabbed 61 times in May 2024.

    21 hours ago · The Namibian

  2. Dismissed Roads Authority executive discusses job loss and reputation

    Former Roads Authority transport executive Sidney Boois, dismissed in February along with divisional manager Richard Milinga following a disciplinary hearing into a vehicle procurement tender worth about N$16 million, says he was frustrated by the circumstances and believes the accusations against him were unfounded. The pair appealed the guilty findings, but the Windhoek High Court later struck their urgent application to return to their jobs.

    21 hours ago · The Namibian

  3. Defence seeks English translations of Arabic evidence in terrorism case

    Jona Hangula's defence lawyer has requested the state provide English translations of Arabic evidence in a pending High Court terrorism case. Hangula, 33, faces 19 charges including high treason, terrorism, and funding terrorist activities, and is the first person charged under Namibia's Prevention and Combating of Terrorist and Proliferation Activities Act of 2014.

    22 hours ago · The Namibian

  4. Government seeks condonation for late plea in corpse mishandling case

    The Namibian government has asked the High Court to condone its late filing of a plea in a lawsuit brought by Swakopmund resident Joel Tjombe over the alleged mishandling and decomposition of his mother's body at Okahandja State Hospital. The government attributes the delay to administrative issues involving conflict of interest between two ministries cited as defendants.

    23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 22 July

  1. South African man loses bail appeal in cannabis farm case

    A South African citizen's bail appeal was refused in the Windhoek High Court after a cannabis plantation valued at N$52 million was discovered at a farm in the Okahandja district. Judge Claudia Claasen found that the magistrate's earlier decision to deny bail was not wrong.

    22 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. NSFAF's N$4.3 million recovery lawsuit advances to case management

    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

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Rape-accused doctor Dennis Noa seeks bail to resume work

    Medical doctor Dennis Noa, arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 26-year-old man at a public hospital premises, asked the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court to grant him bail so he can return to his duties. The state opposed bail, citing rape as a serious offence and arguing that release could risk witness interference, further offences, or absconding.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. State seeks murder conviction in Otjiwarongo stabbing case

    State advocate Maggy Shiyagaya urged the court to convict Prostasius Kuvirua for the murder of Auguste Jonas, whom he allegedly stabbed 13 times with a knife in March 2023 at Otjiwarongo, following an argument after Jonas was found in her bedroom with another man. The State argued the evidence is overwhelming and corroborated by two witnesses who saw the accused leave with a bloody knife and continue stabbing the deceased outside.

    21 July 2026 · New Era

  3. Allegations against doctor highlight institutional failure protecting patients

    An opinion piece examining allegations against an intern doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital before Ondangwa Magistrate's Court, arguing that Namibia's healthcare and institutional systems have failed to adequately identify, monitor, and respond to repeated allegations against professionals with power over vulnerable people.

    21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  4. Healthcare system scrutinized after repeated allegations at hospital

    A Windhoek Observer editorial argues that allegations against an intern doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital currently before Ondangwa Magistrate's Court raise broader questions about whether Namibia's healthcare institutions can adequately identify, monitor and respond to repeated allegations against professionals with power over vulnerable people.

    21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  5. Health ministry investigates intern doctor on rape charge

    An intern doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has been remanded in custody on a rape charge after appearing in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court. The alleged incident occurred when the doctor invited a 26-year-old man to celebrate his new job, and the complainant alleges he was sexually assaulted after consuming a drink that appeared to contain a dissolved pill.

    21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  6. Health ministry investigates intern doctor over rape allegation

    An intern doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has been remanded in custody on a rape charge after appearing in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court; the ministry of health and social services has launched an internal administrative investigation. The alleged incident occurred when the doctor invited a 26-year-old to the hospital, where the complainant alleges he was drugged and sexually assaulted.

    21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Monday 20 July

  1. Acting prosecutor freezes fugitive lawyer's N$75.3m assets

    Acting prosecutor general Martha Imalwa has obtained a Prevention of Organised Crime Act property restraint order in respect of fugitive lawyer Marén de Klerk's assets valued at up to N$75.3 million, as well as assets valued at up to N$2.3 million in respect of the close corporation Moyo Estates. De Klerk, who left Namibia in January 2020 and is believed to be living in South Africa, is wanted in connection with the Fishrot fraud case involving alleged illegal allocation of Namibian fishing quotas.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Doctor arrested in second rape investigation within five years

    A 31-year-old doctor at Onandjokwe Hospital was arrested over the weekend on allegations of raping a 26-year-old man at his room. The arrest comes three years after the Windhoek High Court acquitted the doctor of a separate rape charge involving an 18-year-old patient at Katutura Intermediate Hospital.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Doctor charged with rape, remanded after bail opposed

    Dennis Iipumbu Noa, a 31-year-old doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, appeared in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court charged with rape. The state opposed bail, citing a prima facie case, risk of witness interference, and absconding; the matter was postponed to 27 October 2026 for a formal bail application.

    20 July 2026 · Informanté

  4. Doctor arrested for allegedly raping taxi driver at Onandjokwe

    A 31-year-old doctor at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has been arrested and is expected to appear in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court after allegedly drugging and raping his 26-year-old friend, a taxi driver, in the suspect's hospital bedroom. Police allege the suspect invited the victim to celebrate a new job, provided transport money, and served him drinks spiked with an unknown substance before the alleged assault.

    20 July 2026 · New Era

Sunday 19 July

  1. High Court dismisses bid to legalise cannabis in Namibia

    The Windhoek High Court dismissed an application by the Ganja Users of Namibia to legalise cannabis, ruling that ongoing government legislative reviews make judicial intervention premature. The group says it will intensify efforts to push for cannabis law reform and hold the government accountable to its commitment to review the cannabis laws.

    19 July 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 17 July

  1. Terrorism accused Hangula opposes closed-door FBI testimony

    Jona Hangula, accused under Namibia's Prevention and Combating of Terrorist and Proliferation Activities Act, has asked the High Court to reject the State's application for closed-door testimony from an alleged FBI agent, arguing it would breach his right to a fair trial. He proposes the witness testify remotely via Zoom or Teams in open court, with his family, friends, church members, and full legal team permitted to attend.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Hangula opposes closed-door FBI testimony in terrorism trial

    Terrorism-accused Jona Hangula has filed a motion opposing the prosecution's request to hear FBI agent testimony behind closed doors, arguing the proceedings should remain open to safeguard his constitutional right to a fair trial. Hangula proposes the witness testify remotely without video and requests that his family, friends, and entire legal team be allowed to attend.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. Witnesses contradict police in assault-in-custody lawsuit

    Four witnesses have filed statements in the High Court contradicting the Namibian Police's version of events surrounding the arrest of former Spitzkoppe tour guide Melvin //Areseb, who is suing the police and three officers for N$2.8 million over an alleged assault while in custody. Police officers deny assaulting //Areseb or witnessing any assault, claiming only reasonable force was used after he became aggressive following questioning about a reported domestic violence incident.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  4. Four witnesses contradict police in assault lawsuit filed by tour guide

    Four witnesses have filed statements in the High Court contradicting the Namibian Police's version of events in a N$2.8 million assault lawsuit filed by former Spitzkoppe tour guide Melvin //Areseb against the police and three officers over an alleged assault during his arrest on 22 August 2025. Police officers deny assaulting //Areseb or witnessing assault by colleagues, while the officers claim only reasonable force was used after the plaintiff became aggressive during questioning about a domestic violence incident.

    17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 16 July

  1. Accountant jailed 12 years for N$4.48 million Komatsu fraud

    Tulihaleni Nghihalwa was convicted of 75 fraud charges and 24 money laundering counts for defrauding Komatsu Namibia of N$4.48 million through false invoices between 2014 and 2016, and received an effective 12-year prison sentence; three co-accused including her siblings were also convicted on money laundering charges.

    16 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Fishrot fraud trial adjourned to October 19

    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

  3. Windhoek sues Namibia Dairies for N$24.5m water pollution damages

    The Municipal Council of Windhoek is suing Namibia Dairies for N$24.5 million over a February 2019 heavy fuel oil spill at the company's factory that contaminated the city's Gammams Water Care Works and caused damage to water treatment processes. The hearing before the Windhoek High Court began on Tuesday, with Namibia Dairies opposing the council's claim.

    16 July 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Terrorism-accused Hangula opposes secret court proceedings

    Jona Hangula, 32, accused of working with ISIS and Boko Haram to overthrow the Namibian government, has filed a motion opposing the State's request for "in camera" (private) court proceedings. His legal representative is asking the High Court to dismiss the application for closed hearings and requests that evidence from an alleged FBI agent be presented in open court.

    16 July 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Opposition challenges ECN nominee over Swapo membership ties

    Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.

    15 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. High Court declines ECN commissioner interdict but affirms transparency concerns

    MP Job Amupanda welcomed the High Court's judgment in his case against the Speaker of the National Assembly and others, saying the ruling declined to grant an interdict but affirmed his position that ECN commissioner appointments must comply with constitutional transparency and accountability principles. Amupanda had sought to stop Parliament from approving ECN nominees until key selection process documents were disclosed.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. High Court refers Maasdorp murder lawsuit to mediation

    The High Court has referred a N$2.2 million lawsuit brought by the grandmother of murdered Grade 0 learner Ingrid Maasdorp against the government to mediation, with a referral hearing scheduled for 28 July 2026. The civil claim alleges the government, through the ministry of education, failed in its legal duty to protect learners at K W von Maree Combined School in Okahandja, where Ingrid was allegedly kidnapped in March 2025 and found dead the following day.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Couple jailed for N$9.98 million fraud and theft scheme

    Amanda Jantjies and her husband Barnard Jantjies were sentenced to 14 and nine years' effective imprisonment respectively in the Windhoek High Court after admitting guilt on more than 1,700 charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering totalling N$9.98 million. Amanda, a bookkeeper for bus service Ekonolux, defrauded her employer between January 2014 and November 2018 by making unauthorised payments to her own account and her husband's close corporation.

    14 July 2026 · The Namibian

Windhoek High Court — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute