Deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb has been nominated to serve on a Tanzanian presidential commission of inquiry investigating violence that erupted after the country’s 2025 general elections.
The Office of the Judiciary announced on Wednesday that chief justice Peter Shivute nominated Damaseb following a request from Tanzanian authorities for a serving or retired Namibian High Court judge to join the commission.
“The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) endorsed the nomination after consultations with Shivute, saying Damaseb’s extensive judicial and administrative experience made him suitable for the assignment,” reads the statement.
The commission was established by the Tanzanian government to investigate the root causes of violence that followed the general elections held on 29 October 2025.
Damaseb, who serves as Namibia’s deputy chief justice and judge president of the High Court, is also an ex officio member of the Supreme Court.
The JSC says the commission members will be sworn in on a date to be determined by the Tanzanian government, after which its terms of reference and programme of work will be communicated.
It adds that arrangements will be made to ensure Damaseb’s judicial duties in the Supreme Court and High Court continue uninterrupted during his service on the regional commission.
The JSC says it is confident Damaseb’s participation will uphold the reputation of the Namibian judiciary and contribute meaningfully to the regional inquiry.
