Tourist attacks threaten Namibia’s image, Netumbo says

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned that a rise in crimes against tourists and visitors threatens Namibia’s reputation as a safe destination, with some countries issuing warnings that the country is unsafe for their citizens.

She said the trend poses a serious risk to the tourism sector, one of Namibia’s largest contributors to gross domestic product (GDP) and a key source of employment.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who served as tourism minister between 2010 and 2012, made the remarks during the official opening of the Legal Year 2026 on Thursday.

“Our courts must continue to guarantee equitable access to justice for all, regardless of nationality, and ensure that those who commit crimes are held accountable under the law,” the president said. “A trusted and effective justice system strengthens Namibia’s reputation internationally as a safe, reliable and welcoming destination.”

She also welcomed the resolution of the recent magistrates’ strike, which had brought legal services to a temporary standstill.

“I take note, with appreciation, of the resolution of the recent matter concerning the striking of magistrates. The restoration of normal judicial operations is essential to maintaining public trust and institutional stability,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

Justice buckles under pressure

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Peter Shivute painted a picture of a judiciary under mounting pressure due to staff shortages and rising caseloads.

He said that during the 2024 legal year, a civil bench of 15 judges handled 4 987 cases, averaging about 384 cases per judge. In contrast, during the 2025 legal year, a reduced civil bench managed 4 295 cases, but the average workload per judge surged to approximately 614 cases – an increase of nearly 60%.

“Although the overall number of cases declined marginally, judicial officers have carried significantly heavier caseloads to maintain the effective functioning of the courts and prevent backlogs,” Shivute said.

He cautioned that this high pace of productivity has come at both institutional and personal costs.

“Judges in both the criminal and civil streams, together with their supporting staff, have demonstrated immense dedication under challenging conditions," he said.

"Despite these pressures, the administration of justice has remained timely, effective and resilient,” he added.

Shivute said similar constraints continue to affect the lower courts, where backlogs remain the most critical challenge.

“The combined backlog in the magistrates’ courts increased from 57 090 cases at the end of 2024 to 63 679 cases in November 2025, representing an 11.5% rise."

He attributed the growing backlog to shortages of magistrates, unsustainable caseloads and persistent budgetary constraints.

“These challenges are further aggravated by limited financial resources, which restrict the courts’ ability to respond effectively to rising demand. The frustrations expressed by judicial officers are therefore understandable,” the chief justice admitted.

Critical point

Despite fluctuating case registrations, Shivute said overall filing levels remain high – a development he described as a positive sign of public confidence in the justice system.

“In a constitutional democracy, such confidence is invaluable. It shows that the rule of law is alive and trusted,” he said. “However, access to justice must be matched by the effective delivery of justice, and that requires adequate human, financial and infrastructural resources.”

Human resource shortages, he said, remain the judiciary’s most pressing challenge.

“The shortage of judicial officers has reached a critical point,” Shivute said, noting a sharp decline in career jurists and particularly acute shortages in the High Court’s civil stream.

He said the civil bench of the High Court’s main division had operated with only seven judges over the past year, while the Northern Division relied on a single judge to handle the entire civil stream.

“These conditions have placed exceptional demands on judicial officers and the institution of the court,” he said.

Boosting the bench

Shivute outlined measures being taken to address capacity constraints, including the aspiring judges training programme, which enrolled 33 participants in August 2025.

“The programme continues to show encouraging results,” he said, adding that plans to establish a Judicial Training Institute are also progressing.

He also thanked members of the legal profession who served as acting judges during the past year.

“Their contribution, often at the expense of their private practices, has been invaluable in sustaining the work of the courts,” Shivute said.