Govt permitted Samherji vessels to sail away

Icelandic fishing company Samherji says the Namibian government granted permission for its fishing vessels, Saga and Geysir, to depart the country, leaving 220 fishermen stranded.Saga left the country last Wednesday while Geysir sailed away on Monday, leaving their Namibian employees in the dark.Accused of fleeing under the cover of darkness, the Icelandic company, which is at the centre of the Fishrot bribery storm, denied leaving Namibian waters without permission. Another of its vessels, Heinaste, has been impounded by Namibian authorities for fishing in restricted waters. “All the usual permissions were sought and granted from the fisheries ministry and Namport prior to their sailing,” Samherji spokesperson Margrét Ólafsdóttir told Namibian Sun. The request was made because there were no fishing quotas for the vessels, she said.“Saga departed Namibia in order to undertake maintenance that was planned a while ago and is a normal part of its operations. Geysir is currently fishing in Mauritania,” Ólafsdóttir said.Over the weekend, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation said it is using all available legal options to ensure that properties linked to Samherji are seized.ACC director-general Paulus Noa confirmed the commission's pursuit of Samherji's assets.“These properties may include vessels. We appealed to foreign authorities to render international cooperation and ensure that the properties linked to this case [Fishrot] are not disposed of. International mutual legal assistance is critical in this matter,” said Noa.Samherji also announced that it will retrench its workers at Walvis Bay in a meeting with union bosses this week. “Samherji representatives met with the affected fishermen and their unions this week. It is an unfortunate consequence of having no quota that crew members will have to be retrenched. Notices will go out to all the relevant parties this week,” Ólafsdóttir said. All those affected will receive severance packages more than the statutory minimum, she added.“All the crew of Heinaste have already been paid according to the Labour Act. The vessel was stopped by the ministry of fisheries,” she said.The company is also in the process of selling its assets in Namibia.The Fishrot corruption scandal has landed former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and his justice counterpart Sacky Shanghala in jail, where they await trial with four other accused.OGONE TLHAGE

Govt permitted Samherji vessels to sail away

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

Please login to leave a comment

Govt permitted Samherji vessels to sail away

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

Please login to leave a comment

Login