Namibia’s new Environmental Crimes Court (ECC), which was unveiled by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) in Otjiwarongo on 4 February, will hopefully send a clear deterrent message to perpetrators of crimes against wildlife and the environment.
The Court is expected to reduce case backlogs for the crimes and ensure a speedy trial for the culprits. It formally started operations in January this year following its inauguration by vice-president Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in August last year.
Special wildlife courts were held in Oshakati, Rundu and Katima Mulilo to deal with a total of 181 cases on their court roll, of which 102 were finalised. Staff are working to establish a court role and transferring cases from other courts in the region that fall within its jurisdiction.
The aim of the first-of-its-kind specialised court is to help authorities to protect the country’s natural resources by tackling offences under the Environmental Management Act, including poaching, illegal logging, and other acts that are harmful to the country’s plant and animal life.
The establishment of the and the progress in the adjudicating of wildlife crime-related cases required careful planning between the Office of the Prosecutor General, Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary as key government stakeholders. The initiative is part of the National Wildlife Protection Strategy as agreed upon by stakeholders to aid in the fight against wildlife crime. The Court will also work in tandem with stakeholders such as traditional authorities, NGOs, and the private sector.
“The significance of this court extends beyond mere legal proceedings,” said Chief Justice Peter Shivute. “It embodies our recognition that environmental protection is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative. We have a duty to safeguard our natural resources for future generations to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a world that is as vibrant and rich as the one we enjoy today.”
“We are excited with the establishment of the ECC which demonstrates the Namibian Government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s wildlife and natural environment through a partnership approach to the investigation and prosecution of environmental and wildlife crime,” he said.
The court is staffed with a dedicated magistrate, a senior prosecutor whose sole focus will be wildlife and general environmental crimes, and support staff.
Partnerships
The ECC is regarded as a significant legacy investment that demonstrates the power of partnerships in the fight against environmental and wildlife crimes, and the department will continue to work with external funding partners regarding financial resources to support the Judiciary and the Office of the Prosecutor General in establishing more similar courts in other parts of the country.
Combined funding from the Namibian Government, the United States Government through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, the Rooikat Trust, Wildcat Foundation, Namibia Nature Foundation and WWF in Namibia contributed to the development of the ECC.
International conservation management issue
Ruben Angala, a conservationist, believes wildlife crime remains an international conservation management issue that threatens ecotourism, ecological balance, and biodiversity.
According to the UN Environment Programme, the industry of illegal hunting and trade in wildlife and wildlife products is estimated worth US$50-US$150 billion per annum and continues to pose a threat towards globally endangered wildlife species.
The escalation of these crimes also threatens national and local economies, the criminal justice and security systems, and public health. Also, the trade in illegal wildlife and wildlife products enhance the spread of emerging zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to the target animals as well as human populations and their economic activities.
According to Ruben, Namibia has over the past decade recorded an increase in wildlife crime on high-value species, with pangolin being the most trafficked mammal every year.
New trends of environmental crimes related to flora have also been identified and these present a unique challenge to law enforcement. Ruben believes the special wildlife courts are effective, as a significant number of wildlife crime cases have been finalised within a short space of time.
The establishment of the ECC comes with significant benefits such as improved legal expertise as magistrates and prosecutors develop experience in environmental law, leading to more informed decisions and better application of the law in complex cases.
The ECC also play a crucial role in supporting national and international conservation efforts, thereby protecting biodiversity and sustaining natural resources for future generations.
In addition, the ECC also fosters greater public trust in the legal system’s ability to address environmental concerns and raises awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.
Contact details
Contact the Romeo Muyunda MEFT spokesperson at info.pro@meft.gov.na for more information.
Source references
Angala, R. (2024) Cracking Down on Eco-Crime: Namibia’s New Environmental Court Pledges Swift Justice. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cracking-down-eco-crime-namibias-new-environmental-court-ruben-angala-yoj5c/
Goreses, B. (2025) Environmental Crimes Court aims to curb wildlife and environmental crime https://nbcnews.na/node/106987#:~:text=The%20specialised%20court%2C%20which%20was%20unveiled%20at%20Otjiwarongo%2C,would%20tackle%20offences%20under%20the%20Environmental%20Management%20Act
Smit, E. (2024) Environmental Crimes Court makes progress in Otjiwarongo. Namibian Sun. https://www.namibiansun.com/environment/environmental-crimes-court-makes-progress-in-otjiwarongo2025-02-06147538
