By Stefanus Nashama

Namibia’s Ombudsman, Basilius Dyakugha, has cautioned that anyone can face prosecution for accusing others of witchcraft, saying such allegations are criminalised under existing laws.

Speaking on the matter this week, Dyakugha said witchcraft accusations remain a complex and sensitive issue in Namibia, as they are often based on belief rather than provable facts.

“You can be prosecuted for calling someone a witch, except in cases of poisoning,” Dyakugha explained. 
“Witchcraft is not new in Namibia, but it is difficult to deal with because there is no proof.”
He added that even traditional authorities face challenges when handling witchcraft-related disputes.
“There is a law, by a certain proclamation, that criminalises witchcraft. This law has been in existence for years,” he said.
Dyakugha’s remarks follow the recent killing of an elderly couple in Oniihwa-B village in the Oshikoto region, allegedly by their 19-year-old grandson who had accused them of witchcraft.

The victims, Joshua Shiimi (87) and Martha Nangombe (67), were brutally murdered on Monday, the same day they had sought a protection order against their grandson. It is alleged that the suspect had repeatedly threatened to kill them, claiming they had bewitched him.

According to reports, the couple had previously reported the matter to the police at least twice, but police intervention was allegedly limited to phoning the suspect and asking him to report to the station.
Dyakugha emphasised that while the government and traditional authorities can attempt to address witchcraft-related issues, proving witchcraft in court remains impossible.

“You cannot regulate the behaviour of citizens because, even if the law exists, it is difficult to control individual beliefs,” he said.
Witchcraft accusations continue to fuel violence and family divisions across the country, with several cases of murder linked to such claims.

Earlier this year, a local media outlet reported that the Office of the Ombudsman had committed to reviewing long-standing complaints related to witchcraft and to consult the prosecutor-general and traditional leaders on possible human-rights training.
However, Dyakugha distanced himself from that report.

“I do not know where such a report is coming from, but witchcraft is not an easy thing to deal with,” he said.
Witchcraft-related violence remains one of Namibia’s recurring social challenges one that tests the limits of both law enforcement and traditional justice systems.