The Office of the Ombudsman has declined to investigate allegations made by Simon Hanga, a 31-year-old Namibian national based in Germany, who is currently detained at the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

Hanga faces charges linked to alleged bribery involving former Minister of Agriculture Mac Hengari, who is also in custody at the same facility.

In a letter dated 7 July 2025 addressed to Hanga, the Ombudsman’s office acknowledged receipt of his complaint, which includes claims of police intimidation, unlawful detention of family members, and corruption by investigating officers.

Hanga also expressed grave concern about the physical and mental well-being of his sister, who allegedly suffered a stroke while in police custody, and her infant child, who is now separated from her.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Ombudsman made it clear that it cannot act on matters currently before the courts or subject to active police investigations.

Ingrid Husselmann, Chief in the Office of the Ombudsman, stated that such matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the office.

The office further clarified that it lacks legal authority to retrieve seized property such as mobile phones, access forensic communications, or interfere in the work of the police, the Prosecutor General, or the courts.

Instead, it advised Hanga to report police misconduct directly to the Inspector General of the Namibian Police and to approach the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding any allegations of corruption.

Hanga claims he arrived in Namibia in April 2025 to resolve a personal family issue but was arrested upon arrival.

He alleges that his sister was offered money to facilitate his arrest and that officers tried to coerce him into cooperating.

He says the ongoing ordeal has cost him his job in Germany and left his family fractured.

Neither the Namibian Police nor the Prosecutor-General has issued a public response to the claims at this stage.