Authorities still pursuing De Klerk extradition after 2024 setback
The ministry of justice has confirmed that it is moving to restart extradition proceedings against Marén de Klerk, the lawyer accused of acting as the “paymaster” in the Fishrot corruption scandal, after Namibia’s initial attempt collapsed in South Africa last year.
De Klerk was released from custody in Cape Town in June 2024 when the case was reportedly abruptly withdrawn and struck from the court roll. At the time, the ministry cited “technical reasons” for the failure, but no updates were communicated publicly, prompting concerns that the matter had been abandoned.
Ministry spokesperson Edmund //Khoaseb assured Namibians that the case remains active. Officials, together with the office of the prosecutor-general, are working to correct the earlier setbacks.
“The ministry, in collaboration with the office of the prosecutor-general, is actively engaged with the matter to ensure that the process is properly advanced,” he said.
He further emphasised that the state remains determined to bring de Klerk back to Namibia.
“The ministry of justice, together with the office of the prosecutor-general, remains fully committed to exhausting all available legal avenues to secure Mr de Klerk’s return to Namibia so that he may answer to the charges in connection with the Fishrot case,” //Khoaseb told Namibian Sun.
Timelines remain vague
Despite these assurances, the ministry has not clarified when a new extradition request was lodged in South Africa or when it might be heard. When pressed on specific dates, //Khoaseb declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings.
Legal experts warn that the lack of firm timelines risks eroding public confidence in the government’s handling of the case — particularly since it was first revealed in 2024 that South Africa had withdrawn the initial request, exposing delays and procedural uncertainty.
The Fishrot scandal, first uncovered in 2019, centres on allegations that senior politicians and businessmen colluded with Icelandic fishing company Samherji to manipulate quotas in exchange for bribes. Several suspects are currently on trial in Windhoek, and prosecutors say de Klerk’s testimony and records could be crucial in tracing the movement of illicit funds.
De Klerk was released from custody in Cape Town in June 2024 when the case was reportedly abruptly withdrawn and struck from the court roll. At the time, the ministry cited “technical reasons” for the failure, but no updates were communicated publicly, prompting concerns that the matter had been abandoned.
Ministry spokesperson Edmund //Khoaseb assured Namibians that the case remains active. Officials, together with the office of the prosecutor-general, are working to correct the earlier setbacks.
“The ministry, in collaboration with the office of the prosecutor-general, is actively engaged with the matter to ensure that the process is properly advanced,” he said.
He further emphasised that the state remains determined to bring de Klerk back to Namibia.
“The ministry of justice, together with the office of the prosecutor-general, remains fully committed to exhausting all available legal avenues to secure Mr de Klerk’s return to Namibia so that he may answer to the charges in connection with the Fishrot case,” //Khoaseb told Namibian Sun.
Timelines remain vague
Despite these assurances, the ministry has not clarified when a new extradition request was lodged in South Africa or when it might be heard. When pressed on specific dates, //Khoaseb declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings.
Legal experts warn that the lack of firm timelines risks eroding public confidence in the government’s handling of the case — particularly since it was first revealed in 2024 that South Africa had withdrawn the initial request, exposing delays and procedural uncertainty.
The Fishrot scandal, first uncovered in 2019, centres on allegations that senior politicians and businessmen colluded with Icelandic fishing company Samherji to manipulate quotas in exchange for bribes. Several suspects are currently on trial in Windhoek, and prosecutors say de Klerk’s testimony and records could be crucial in tracing the movement of illicit funds.
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