No room for 'I do’ at Ondangwa, Gobabis

Couples hoping to marry at the Ondangwa and Gobabis Magistrates' Courts face limited slots and longer waits because magistrates are too busy with criminal judicial duties to perform unlimited ceremonies.Justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told parliament last week that both courts have had to cap the number of marriages they schedule because magistrates are already dealing with heavy criminal caseloads and other judicial responsibilities.At Gobabis, the two permanent magistrates preside over two criminal courts daily, while also attending periodic courts at Witvlei, Leonardville and Talismanus.“Given these responsibilities, the magistrates at Gobabis have had to place a limit on the number of marriages scheduled, as it became impractical to accommodate an unlimited number of ceremonies while attending to other core judicial functions,” Immanuel said.The situation is similar at Ondangwa, where three magistrates manage a heavy criminal caseload in addition to quasi-judicial and administrative functions.“As such, it is likewise impractical to schedule an unlimited number of marriages at this court,” Immanuel said.Alternative optionsBut couples are not restricted to magistrates when choosing who can solemnise their marriage.Immanuel said religious leaders, including pastors, priests, deacons, reverends and other registered officiants, are legally recognised as marriage officers and may solemnise marriages in accordance with the law.“Couples wishing to have their marriages solemnised at court must therefore be prepared to accept future dates based on availability, or alternatively, approach other registered officiants for their preferred dates.”The minister said the right to marry remains protected under Article 14(1) of the Constitution, while practical limitations exist on the number of ceremonies magistrates can perform within a given timeframe.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

No room for 'I do’ at Ondangwa, Gobabis

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-06

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No room for 'I do’ at Ondangwa, Gobabis

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-06

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