Africa-Press – Namibia.
Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa has confirmed that another control prosecutor, based in Grootfontein, has received a threatening note warning of a possible violent attack.
Imalwa confirmed the authenticity of the note to New Era, which warned the prosecutor to step down or face consequences.
The message, seemingly from an emboldened criminal, reads: “Do not let the Ondangwa incident repeat itself in Grootfontein. Transfer yourself; even your own colleagues and the community do not like you. Go early before it’s too late.”
She said the matter has been reported to the police and is currently under investigation.
Imalwa further stated that prosecutors and other justice personnel are now under protection, as the ministry of justice, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, has introduced additional safety measures to safeguard judicial officers.
However, she declined to disclose how the safety arrangements will operate or whether prosecutors’ residences are guarded, explaining that revealing such details could place them at further risk.
She cautioned that if information on how and where security is deployed is made public, criminals could use that information to find alternative ways to harass, threaten or intimidate prosecutors.
“The ministry of justice, together with the Namibian Police continue to work jointly to review and strengthen the justice system in light of the growing threats against judicial officers,” Imalwa said. Meanwhile, the affected prosecutor, whose name is withheld for safety reasons, confirmed that he personally saw the note and that the threat is real.
“This is a sign that what has already happened shows that the rest of us are not immune,” he said.
He further called on the government to consider providing prosecutors with secure housing, official transport and work-issued mobile phones, instead of relying on personal devices, depending on prevailing circumstances.
He also revealed that a suspect has been identified and that police investigations are ongoing.
When asked whether the threat is linked to the Ondangwa case, he said he could neither confirm nor deny any connection.
The incident comes amid heightened concern following the recent death of Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, which has raised alarm over the safety of prosecutors nationwide.
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