Africa-Press – Namibia. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community justice systems by donating eight vehicles to community courts across the country.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony in Ongwediva on Friday, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare described the initiative as the first step in equipping community courts with essential resources.
“Community courts are the bedrock of dispute resolution in Namibia, and while your indispensable work often goes unacknowledged, today we recognise and celebrate your contributions,” Ngurare said.
The vehicles were handed over to the Kambazembi, Maharero, Masubia, Ondonga, Oukwanyama, Ovambanderu, Uukolonkadhi and Uukwambi community courts.
Ngurare explained that the allocation was determined by each court’s workload and jurisdiction, with plans to extend support to all 34 community courts as resources permit.
Highlighting the value of customary law, the prime minister explained that unlike common law, customary law ensures justice is simple, visible and swift, preserving a heritage of accountability and community healing.
“The vehicles, along with the facilities provided by our government, signal our unwavering dedication to strengthening these vital institutions,” he said.
Ngurare also underscored the importance of unity among traditional leaders, noting that harmony within leadership structures sets the tone for peace and stability in communities.
“When traditional authorities are united on fundamental issues, the subjects will also do the same,” he stressed.
In addition, he encouraged traditional authorities to take pride in African food and place greater emphasis on agriculture as a tool for self-sufficiency.
“I want to hear that every village has its own garden,” Ngurare said, adding that investing in agriculture would not only enhance food security but also preserve cultural identity.
The new vehicles will ease mobility challenges faced by traditional leaders in administering justice, enabling them to respond promptly to disputes and reinforce the principle of restorative justice under customary law.
Ngurare gave an assurance that additional support will be made available in the next financial year, describing Friday’s handover as the beginning of a broader process to strengthen Namibia’s traditional justice system. Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, highlighted that the Namibian Constitution deliberately protects two branches of law – common law and customary law.
“The drafters underscored their commitment and respect and desire to protect those two branches of law through the formulations of Article 66 of the Namibian Constitution,” he explained.
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