Fired fisheries boss reinstated

Almost two years of fighting in the Labour Court culminated in the reinstatement of a senior fisheries ministry official who was fired at the height of the Fishrot scandal.The ministry was forced to rescind its decision to axe its director for policy, planning, economics, Anna Erastus.It was also compelled to compensate her for the salary payments she missed out on over the period.Her lawyer Elia Shikongo confirmed her reinstatement yesterday after government lost an appeal brought against its decision to fire her in July 2020. Erastus has always maintained her innocence and that her dismissal was unlawful.“There was a labour case instituted on her behalf. There were no conditions attached to her reinstatement and she was reinstated with loss of income,” Shikongo said.Pandora’s BoxErastus is seen as a key figure in the ongoing Fishrot case, with the department she heads directly responsible for the allocation of fishing quotas.With former fisheries boss Bernhardt Esau, during his ongoing bail application, telling the courts that he played no role in the allocation of quotas, many see Erastus as the one who could open the Fishrot Pandora’s Box.Fisheries ministry executive director Anely Haiphene would not comment on the reinstatement when called for comment.“I do not want to discuss a staff issue in the media at all,” she said.Efforts to reach Erastus also proved futile.Other investigationsGovernment initially appealed Erastus’ fight in the Labour Court, Confidente reported in March 2022, but did not receive a ruling in its favour.Then fisheries ministry executive director Dr Moses Maurihungirire signed off on Erastus’ termination on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission.At the time, Erastus said she had been subjected to unfair labour practices.In 2014, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigated her over allegations that she had received about N$700 000 from Omualu Fishing Company.Omualu is a horse mackerel company owned by Swakopmund-based lawyer Sacky Kadhila Amoomo.In August 2019, South Africa suspended her participation in the Benguela Current Commission, citing strong disagreement with unilateral decisions taken by the chairperson of the commission.

Fired fisheries boss reinstated

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-04

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Fired fisheries boss reinstated

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-04

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