The Office of the Judiciary has dismissed allegations suggesting it is biased or incapable of rendering impartial judgments following the allegations made by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda.
This was announced in a media statement last week by judiciary spokesperson Viktoria Hango.
Hango said judicial officers are bound by their oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of Namibia, ensuring their loyalty remains solely to these legal frameworks.
“Upon their appointment, judicial officers take an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of Namibia.
“Individuals who have reason to believe that a judge may be conflicted on any legally recognised ground have the right to file a formal complaint through established channels or to seek the recusal of such a judge,” Hango said.
The judiciary reiterated that appointments are conducted in line with Article 80(1) of the Constitution, which governs the selection of High Court judges, including deputy judge(s) president.
“The judiciary executes its constitutional mandate independently and is solely accountable to the Constitution and the law,” the statement reads.
According to Hango the appointment of a new deputy judge president has sparked debate, following the elevation of the previous office holder to the Supreme Court in late 2024.
“The appointment of the deputy judge(s) president aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity and enhance the administration of justice.
“Judicial nominations for vacant positions are conducted via established legal processes and channels in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission Regulations.
“Designated organisations are duly informed to submit nominations by a specified closing date. Therefore, there is nothing inappropriate regarding the procedures followed for the appointment of judges. Such procedures follow the existing law,” Hango said.
The judiciary urges individuals with concerns about a judge’s impartiality to utilise formal channels, including filing complaints or requesting recusal on legally recognised grounds.
“The public should resist spreading baseless claims that could compromise the integrity of judicial institutions. The judiciary remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, independence, and the rule of law,” the statement reads.
