Former minister Bernhard Esau seeks to advance delayed Fishrot trial
via The Namibian5 min read
A lawyer representing former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau argued on Friday that the judge presiding over the Fishrot fraud, corruption, and racketeering case should order the trial of the 10 individuals charged to proceed. Defence lawyer Florian Beukes addressed acting judge Marilize du Plessis in the High Court at Windhoek Correctional Facility, stating that the trial should continue while two of the accused, former attorney general and minister of justice Sacky Shanghala and his business partner James Hatuikulipi, are appealing a ruling where Du Plessis dismissed an application for her to step down from the case. Shanghala and Hatuikulipi are seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against Du Plessis's decision not to recuse herself. Defence lawyer Ileni Gebhardt, representing Ricardo Gustavo, previously requested the trial to proceed, arguing that criminal trials must reach finality and that other accused are being "held hostage" by the litigation choices of Shanghala and Hatuikulipi, which she described as a "deliberate strategy to delay the trial". Beukes noted that similar recusal applications and appeals have previously caused delays of about two years. He reminded Du Plessis that Esau has been in custody for nearly six and a half years since his arrest in November 2019 and is still awaiting the state's first witness. Beukes stated that Esau's health has deteriorated and he lacks certainty about the trial's conclusion, asserting Esau's
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup at Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament, followed by a second from veteran striker Raul Jimenez. South Africa finished the match with nine players after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane received red cards. Quinones opened the scoring in the ninth minute, with Jimenez adding the second in the 67th minute. Sithole was dismissed in the 49th minute, and Zwane in the 84th minute after a VAR review. Mexican defender Cesar Montes also received a red card late in the game.
Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade, stated that the relationship between Namibia and Portugal, particularly in trade and investment, has significant potential for further development. Her remarks were delivered by Charles Josob, acting head of the bilateral department, during a Portugal Day celebration at the National Art Gallery of Namibia in Windhoek. Ashipala-Musavyi noted that while trade volumes are improving, they have not yet met the full ambition or depth of the friendship between the two nations. She highlighted that Namibia and Portugal have cultivated a strong relationship through cultural exchange, language training, and trade, acknowledging the Portuguese community's contributions to Namibian society. Josob congratulated Portugal on its election to the United Nations Security Council for 2027-2028 and the performance of its national football team. Portugal Day, officially known as the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, is celebrated annually on June 10, commemorating the death of poet Luís de Camões. Portuguese ambassador to Namibia Rui Carmo explained that the day celebrates the collective identity, the Portuguese language, and Portuguese communities worldwide. The embassy marked the occasion with a fado concert featuring singer Soraia Cardoso and musicians João Felipe and Bernardo Romão.
Vitalis Nepembe, 35, known as "Dax," was arrested in Ondangwa this week in connection with a N$385,000 transaction, part of an ongoing N$2.1 million fraud case against Sanlam Namibia. Nepembe faces allegations of fraud, acting with common purpose, and corruption-related offenses. A source indicated that Nepembe allegedly received the N$385,000 from Claudia Martin, who is accused of fraudulently claiming approximately N$1.2 million from Sanlam Namibia. This payment reportedly followed the false presentation of Elizabeth Elifas's laboratory results as Martin's in December 2024 to support a fraudulent chronic illness insurance claim. Nepembe, listed as accused number 21, appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, was remanded in custody, and his case was postponed to June 15 for a bail application.