Ex-company secretary defends return to Fishcor board amid Fishrot questions

Former National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) company secretary Josefina Nekongo has defended her return to the parastatal as deputy board chairperson, saying she was not part of its executive team and had no role in the operational or commercial decisions at the centre of the Fishrot scandal.

Nekongo was appointed deputy chairperson of Fishcor’s new seven-member board by fisheries minister Inge Zaamwani last Thursday.

Her appointment has raised questions about whether her previous position at Fishcor was considered, given that she served within the company’s governance structures during the period covered by the Fishrot prosecution.

In an interview with Namibian Sun yesterday, Nekongo said she was not part of the operational and commercial decisions of the company.

She added that Samherji and quota conversations were never raised at board level, which she attended.

The ministry has confirmed that Nekongo’s previous service at Fishcor was not a determining consideration in the appointment process.

Nekongo joined Fishcor as company secretary in 2016, two years after the period in which the alleged corruption scheme is said to have started in 2014. She resigned in March 2021.

By March 2018, she was serving as company secretary of both Fishcor and its subsidiary, Seaflower Group of Companies.

Her tenure covered a crucial period in Fishcor’s history, including the public exposure of the Fishrot scandal in November 2019, the resignation of former Fishcor board chairperson James Hatuikulipi and the arrest of former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya.

Nekongo has not been accused of any wrongdoing arising from Fishrot.

The Fishrot trial, involving former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau, former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, Nghipunya, Hatuikulipi and others, is expected to start soon. All the accused have denied wrongdoing.

Company secretary

As company secretary, Nekongo’s duties included contract drafting, meeting administration and preparing resolutions, according to a 2018 media profile.

The position also placed her within Fishcor’s governance structures and in proximity to its board and decision-making processes.

The Fishrot scandal became public on 12 November 2019 following the release of thousands of documents alleging that Icelandic fishing company Samherji had paid bribes to secure access to Namibian fishing quotas.

Esau and Shanghala subsequently resigned from Cabinet, while Hatuikulipi resigned as Fishcor chairperson later that month.

Hatuikulipi is currently in custody awaiting trial alongside Esau, Shanghala, Nghipunya and other accused persons.

Questions have been raised about what information and documentation passed through Nekongo’s office during her tenure, particularly in relation to transactions now being scrutinised in the Fishrot case.

Serious responsibility

However, Nekongo said her position did not make her part of Fishcor’s operational or commercial decision-making.

“I was not part and parcel of the operational and commercial decisions of the company," she told Namibian Sun in a telephone interview yesterday.

"And although I would sit in board meetings, the issues of Samherji and quota conversations never came to the board level. And such decisions only executives were aware of,” she added.

Nekongo also said she was never questioned by investigators in connection with the Fishrot case.

“It’s very important to distinguish between my previous professional employment and any suggestion of having been involved in the scandal. The issues of Fishrot scandal started before I joined,” she said.

She said she left Fishcor in search of better remuneration and to broaden her professional experience.

A qualified legal practitioner, Nekongo holds Baccalaureus Juris and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Namibia and was admitted to practise in the High Court in 2015.

She joined the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) as head of legal services and company secretary in April 2023.

Defending her return to Fishcor, Nekongo said: “I accepted this appointment based on my experience and expertise, to serve with dignity and integrity, and I’ll take this responsibility seriously.”

Ministry responds

The new Fishcor board takes office at a time when the parastatal is under pressure to strengthen governance, improve financial accountability and restore public confidence.

The board is chaired by Teofilus Nghitila, with Nekongo as deputy chairperson. Other members are John Steytler, Edmund Buys, Ndeyapo Ekandjo, Epsom Jossop and Alisa Jacob.

Zaamwani announced the appointments last week.

Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told Namibian Sun on Sunday that the appointments followed an open call for suitably qualified Namibians.

“Several applications were received, and candidates who met the prescribed requirements were considered and recommended for appointment based on their qualifications, skills and relevant experience,” Muyunda said.

Muyunda said board candidates are not currently subjected to formal vetting.

“Under the normal process and procedures for board appointments, there is no provision made to subject candidates to formal vetting. There have been discussions about the possibility of strengthening the vetting of board appointments, and this is an area that may be pursued in future,” he said.

Asked specifically whether Nekongo’s previous role at Fishcor was considered, Muyunda said no.

“Her previous service as company secretary of Fishcor was not a determining consideration in the recruitment process,” he said.