The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in establishing the District Court for Environmental Crimes in Otjiwarongo. According to a press release from MEFT press officer, Romeo Muyunda, this initiative is part of the national wildlife conservation strategy agreed by stakeholders to support the fight against wildlife crime. "The court focuses on environmental crime cases and will expedite the processing of wildlife cases, which we believe will help prevent wildlife crime," it says. The district court officially started its work in January 2025, after being inaugurated by Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in August 2024. Muyunda added that some cases have already been heard, but staff are still in the process of compiling a comprehensive court directory and transferring cases from other regional courts. It adds: "The ministry is also pleased with the progress made in establishing special courts for wildlife across the country. In 2024, special wildlife courts were held in Oshakati, Rundu and Katima Mulilo, dealing with a total of 181 cases, of which 102 were closed." MEFT continues to work with external funding partners to provide financial support to the judiciary and the Attorney General's Office to set up more similar courts in other parts of the country. The special courts play an important role in clearing the backlog of wildlife crime cases.