Allexer Namundjembo
More than 4,000 Namibians have sued each other for defamation of character in cases linked to social media.
The inspector general, Joseph Shikongo, revealed the figures during the launch of the Ethical Use of Social Media Campaign on Wednesday at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust).
Between April 2022 and April 2025, the police recorded 4 835 defamation cases, many involving public figures and social media influencers.
Defamation cases have been on the rise.
One of the current cases before court involves the chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), Martin Kambulu Pinehas, who is suing Omuthiya local authority councillor Nghipudilo Shiindi of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) for alleged defamation.
Pinehas alleges that on 27 November 2024, Shiindi circulated a message claiming that Pinehas had held a secret meeting with NDF top brass at the Grootfontein military base and would be responsible for anything that happened to IPC leader Panduleni Itula.
In April of this year, Shikongo asked the High Court to hold social activist Michael Amushelelo in contempt of court over comments he made in a social media post.
Three years ago, the High Court ordered IPC member Abed “Bishop” Hishoono to pay former First Lady Monica Geingos N$250 000 for defamatory remarks made in 2021.
Hishoono had alleged in a video that Geingos had a child with fishrot suspect James Hatuikulipi and was responsible for the demise of Air Namibia.
Judge Thomas Masuku at that time said court judgements should serve as lessons to the public to avoid harmful conduct.
In December 2024, the High Court found that a WhatsApp voice recording by nurse Mathilde Kadhikwa about pharmaceutical company owner Shapwa Kanyama and the cost of his wedding was defamatory.
Judge Beatrix de Jager ruled Kadhikwa could not prove her claims and ordered her to pay N$80 000 to Kanyama and N$50 000 to his wife, Beata Kanyama, also known as Betty Davids.
Four weeks ago, a Namibian lawyer threatened to sue global tech company Google for US$10 million (N$180 million) if it did not remove defamatory content.
The High Court authorised the attachment of Google trademarks in Namibia, confirming jurisdiction over the company.
A year ago, academic and former freedom fighter Charles Mubita sued Reinhold Shipwikineni for N$370 000 over allegations in a WhatsApp audio clip.
In February this year, the High Court dismissed Mubita’s case.
Shikongo, at the same event, also revealed that the police disputes recorded between April 2022 and April 2025 include 11 990 fraud cases, 9 039 cases of crimen injuria, 165 thefts under false pretence, six assaults through threatening, and two extortion cases.
Shikongo said scammers have impersonated government officials, financial institutions, and businesses, causing millions in losses.
Six human trafficking cases were also recorded, involving 38 Namibians recruited via online platforms to work abroad, 50 recruited to work within the country, and four foreign nationals recruited to work locally.
“Over the past decade, social media has transformed the way we communicate, conduct business, and interact with one another. However, this same platform, when misused, has become a breeding ground for criminal activity, misinformation, and conduct that undermines the peace and security of our communities,” Shikongo said.
He warned that a single reckless post can destroy lives and may lead to prison time.
He said the police will work with schools, universities, community leaders, and telecommunications providers to educate citizens, strengthen cybercrime detection, and curb online abuse.
Meanwhile, minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus said the campaign aims to promote responsible online engagement.
“This campaign aims to promote the ethical use of social media and to encourage all users to engage in a respectful, truthful, and constructive manner,” she said.
She listed dangers such as misinformation, disinformation, privacy violations, and negative mental health effects, noting that fake news can mislead, cause panic, and influence decisions.
She said freedom of expression should not infringe on others’ dignity and privacy and pointed to the Communications Act, 2009, and the Electronic Transactions Act as legal tools to hold offenders accountable.
The campaign, launched with Club de Madrid and Junior Chamber International Namibia under the WYDE initiative, will focus on educating citizens, especially young people, about safe digital practices, critical thinking, and ethical online behaviour.
