Renthia Kaimbi
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she is concerned about rising criminal acts against tourists.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the trend threatens the country’s tourism sector and the country’s international standing.
She raised the issue while addressing the opening of the Legal Year at the Supreme Court yesterday.
She said reports of crimes against visitors and tourists have led some countries to classify Namibia as an unsafe destination, placing jobs and economic growth at risk.
Tourism, she said, remains a major contributor to gross domestic product and employment.
“I am also concerned by recent reports of increasing criminal acts against visitors and tourists in our country,” she said.
International media reported last month that Canada and Germany issued a travel advisory, flagging Namibia for higher fraud and crime risks.
She linked the issue directly to the justice system, saying courts must guarantee equal access to justice for all people, regardless of nationality, and ensure that offenders are held accountable.
A justice system that works effectively, she said, strengthens Namibia’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
“Our courts must continue to guarantee equitable access to justice for all, regardless of nationality,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that public trust in the legal system must never be allowed to weaken.
She said nations endure not through military power or wealth, but through the confidence people place in the fairness and integrity of their laws. Once trust in the law is lost, uncertainty follows and peace and progress suffer.
She stressed that legal professionals must uphold the highest standards of integrity and said any perception that court decisions are influenced would pose a serious threat to democracy.
She added that the independence of the judiciary is not granted by the government but is a constitutional duty owed to the people.
She also raised concerns about the safety of judicial officers and legal practitioners.
“The safety and security of judges, magistrates, prosecutors, and legal practitioners have become a matter of concern,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.
“No officer of the court should be required to discharge their duties under fear, intimidation, or threat,” she said, adding that lawful avenues exist for those unhappy with court outcomes and that “no individual or group should ever take the law into their own hands.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibians expect fair and timely access to justice, with cases heard and concluded within reasonable timeframes.
She acknowledged that case backlogs remain a long-standing problem that requires urgent attention.
She warned that unresolved cases, especially those involving the abuse of public resources, weaken confidence in institutions and undermine national development.
“When such cases remain unresolved for extended periods, public confidence in our institutions is weakened,” she said.
She also welcomed the resolution of the recent magistrates’ strike, which had disrupted court services, saying the restoration of normal operations is key to rebuilding public confidence.
The Head of State said the government is reviewing laws that may need amendment or repeal and has directed that such laws be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations to ensure the legal framework remains responsive to the needs of Namibians.
