The judiciary says it won't get involved in informal discussions on presidential succession.

The Office of the Judiciary has issued a statement regarding the ongoing public discourse on the presidential succession following the passing of President Dr. Hage G. Geingob. 

There have been ongoing mixed or diverse views by legal personalities and the public general on whether the president, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, ascended to power in compliance with the constitution, whether he is empowered to make decisions, and whether he is acting or substantive president.

President Hage Geingob's legacy is deeply intertwined with the country's constitutional development, from the drafting of the constitutions to their adoption and subsequent amendments.

Compromises had to be made out of divergent positions on governance and the economic system.

Dr. Geingob, with his diplomatic finesse and visionary leadership, steered the Constituent Assembly through these heated debates, ensuring that the divergent views were heard and considered.

One of the main points of contention was the type of government Namibia should adopt. 

Namibia's Legal Year 2024 opened with President Nangolo Mbumba's Address and Judiciary Performance Review.

Namibia marked the commencement of the 2024 Legal Year with President Nangolo Mbumba's address, paying tribute to the late President Hage G. Geingob. Emphasising the judiciary's pivotal role, President Mbumba highlighted the need for free and fair elections and urged respect for judicial independence.

Accompanying the address, Chief Justice Peter Shivute presented key statistics on the judiciary's performance.

Transparency International Iceland has disclosed the Nordic country's lowest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score, attributing the drop to inaction in the Fishrot scandal.

In a stark revelation, Transparency International Iceland has announced that Iceland has recorded its lowest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score to date, losing six points over the last five years. 

The prominent decline is attributed predominantly to the failure to address the Fishrot scandal, as outlined in the attached press release from TI Iceland.

In the aftermath of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report, Namibia, maintaining its position at 59th with a score of 49, is under heightened scrutiny from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Graham Hopwood, the Director of IPPR, stresses the necessity of sweeping reforms across key sectors to address persistent corruption challenges.

Namibia's stagnant CPI ranking reflects stability but underscores the imperative for substantial progress in the fight against corruption.

The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) is actively advocating for crucial reforms in the mining and extractive industries.

Its ongoing Alternative Mining Indaba in Namibia revolves around the theme "Increasing Benefits from Mining and Extractive Industries to Address Socio-economic Development Challenges."

Focused on achieving "tax justice" and legally mandated corporate social responsibility, the Council aims to enforce responsible mining practices and ensure industry contributions towards community development.

The Windhoek High Court has issued an order in the case involving the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (nbc) and the Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN).

The court declared that decisions made by the Editors' Forum and its associated bodies are subject to public scrutiny and review.

The nbc accused the respondents of administrative violations, asserting that they continued to make significant decisions in a particular matter.

A recent surge in break-ins at legal institutions has prompted heightened concerns over the security of sensitive legal data.

Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi addressed the alarming trend during a conversation with this reporter, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.

Shikwambi expressed deep concern over the targeted nature of these incidents, stating, "The deliberate targeting of court facilities is a serious threat to the integrity of the legal system."

Former Fisheries Minister Bernhardt Esau is set to spend another Christmas in the confines of the Windhoek Correctional Facility, as High Court Judge David Munsu ruled that he would remain in custody pending trial.

The judge underscored Esau's clear and prominent involvement in all alleged syndicates linked to the Fishrot scandal, based on preliminary evidence presented by the state during bail proceedings.

On the other hand, Nigel Van Wyk, associated with the scandal through his employment at Shanghala's company, has been granted bail under stringent conditions.

In a groundbreaking move towards transparency and accountability, the Judicial Service Commission has amended its regulations to conduct public interviews for judicial appointments to the High Court.

The decision aligns with the commitment to uphold constitutional principles.

The amended regulations, effective November 24, 2023, mandate that interviews for nominated candidates must be open to the public.