Journalists face harassment & vilification

Expression

Journalists intimidated while on duty

On 20th January 2026, a news crew from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was verbally harassed and forced to leave while covering a standoff protest outside the headquarters of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in Windhoek. The protest was led by members of the Repatriated Refugees Association, a group of former Namibian refugees repatriated back to the country from exile in 1989, who have been camping at SWAPO’s national headquarters since October 2025. They claim funds meant for their reintegration, allegedly originating from the United Nations, are owed to them.

During the confrontation, members of the group reportedly accused the NBC journalists of biased reporting, demanded that they stop filming and warned that their equipment would be confiscated if they continued. A video circulated on social media shows the crew packing up their equipment and withdrawing as tensions escalated.

The group’s claims have been strongly denied by SWAPO Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa and representatives of the United Nations, who stated that no such funds were received or disbursed. On 18th January 2026, Shaningwa issued a formal letter instructing the protesters to vacate the premises, but they defied the directive and remained at the headquarters.

The Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) condemned the harassment, emphasising that journalists have a constitutional right to report on matters of public interest without intimidation. They warned that such hostility toward the press, particularly in politically sensitive contexts, undermines democratic principles and threatens media freedom in Namibia.

Journalist targeted with xenophobic remarks following publication of article

On 23rd January 2026, Tracy Tafirenyika, a Zimbabwean-born journalist, published an article in The Namibian reporting that Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa allegedly owed N$174,000 (USD 10,644) to the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), despite his public calls for councillors to settle outstanding municipal debts. The report raised concerns about potential double standards. In response, Sankwasa told Desert FM that the journalist “happens to be a Zimbabwean” and questioned whether she had a valid work permit. He further suggested that Zimbabweans had not appreciated Namibia’s hospitality. He repeated these remarks at a public event in Ondangwa and implied that the publication of his debt details was linked to RedForce Debt Management, which he claimed is Zimbabwean owned.

Media and CSOs strongly condemned the minister’s comments. Namibia Media Trust executive director Zoe Titus said nationality is irrelevant to the legitimacy of public interest reporting and warned that such rhetoric undermines press freedom. The Namibia Media Professionals Union and the Editors Forum of Namibia also denounced the remarks as discriminatory and called for a public apology, stressing that xenophobic attacks against journalists threaten democratic accountability.

Journalist removed from State House amid questioning incidents

On 2nd February 2026 Namibian journalist Jemima Beukes, editor and founder of Whistle Namibia and Secretary General of the Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU), was escorted out of the State House in Windhoek during the opening of Cabinet after attempting to ask President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah a question about concerns involving her family’s involvement in the oil sector. Security personnel removed her from the venue, confiscated a colleague’s phone that was recording the exchange, photographed her vehicle, and reportedly threatened her with arrest. The Presidency later defended the action, saying protocol must be followed for questions at official events. Press freedom groups, including the International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned the incident, warning it undermines media freedom and the safety of journalists.