AR takes Fishrot fight abroad

ESTER KAMATI WINDHOEKAffirmative Repositioning (AR) has delegated its chief activist Dr Job Amupanda to file a lawsuit against international companies involved in the so-called Fishrot scandal, primarily Icelandic fishing giant Samherji, in several European jurisdictions.To this end, AR will work with UK-based organisation Restitution “to explore various approaches to asset recovery for the people of Namibia in relation to assets that were stolen through the misappropriation of fishing licences, including in relation to the Fishrot scandal,” the movement announced yesterday.During recent bail applications of the men involved, prosecutors in Namibia revealed that the country lost a whopping N$317 million in the scandal.Former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and his justice counterpart Sacky Shanghala are the highest political figures awaiting trial in this matter, following their arrest in 2019.AR and Restitution have signed a memorandum of understanding which entitles AR to lawyers, investigators and other resources to explore approaches to aid in recovering assets stolen from Namibians.Amupanda said Namibia’s legal structures have occupied themselves only with the criminal element of the infringements fuelled by corruption, which could take years to complete as international establishments continue to enjoy the gains of looting resources from Namibia.AR added that it intends to take up a civil suit with, among others, Samherji, who benefitted from the country’s fishing resources in an illicit scheme which involved the then justice and fisheries ministers. Ready and prepared“Before a person receives a bribe, there is somebody who offers the bribe,” Amupanda said, adding that after the bribery, somebody still benefitted from the resources of Namibia.“We know that these companies are big, they have assets everywhere, but we stand ready and prepared,” he said, adding that such culprit multinational companies employ several tactics which “may include discrediting and even assassinating” him."Restitution is about helping partners recover stolen assets so that people’s lives are improved in concrete ways. Sometimes additional support is needed, such as helping local investigators trace stolen assets,” Restitution CEO Katherine Mulhern said.Amupanda further said he would stand as an applicant in the civil case, adding that “we will not wait to occupy the national public offices in order to solve the problems of the masses of our people and give direction to our country. We are very clear that if we do not stand up, no one will stand up.”AR head of legal Maitjituavi Kavetu and activist and lawyer Kadhila Amoomo will join the international legal team put together by Restitution. ester@myzone.com.na

AR takes Fishrot fight abroad

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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AR takes Fishrot fight abroad

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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