Namibia's justice system has long been hailed as a beacon of independence, with citizens routinely seeking recourse through the courts, a stark contrast to regions where political disagreements can devolve into tribal conflict.

However, the Landless People's Movement is now questioning that very system. 

LPM Leader Bernadus Swartbooi has questioned the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations on whether the justice system is being weaponised for political prosecution rather than legitimate law enforcement, arguing that some recent cases appear politically motivated.

Swartbooi specifically referenced the case of the former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, Mac Hengari, who is currently under investigation for several alleged crimes.

The LPM leader argued that public confidence in the judiciary, a cornerstone of Namibia's stability, depends on prosecutions being based strictly on evidence and legal principles, rather than political agendas.

Responding to these concerns, Justice Minister Wise Immanuel defended the integrity of the judiciary, stating that prosecutorial decisions are made strictly within the parameters of the Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Act, and relevant legislation. He emphasised that every matter brought before the Prosecutor-General is assessed independently and on its own merits.

Before a decision to prosecute is taken, honourable speaker, honourable members, it must meet, or the matter or the allegation must meet, two tests, two tests, honourable speaker. First is the evidential sufficiency, you know, and then secondly, honourable speaker, is the public interest. So those are the two tests that any allegation, you know, that is before the prosecutor general must meet: whether it needs evidential sufficiency and whether it's in the public interest to prosecute this particular matter."