More details emerge of bribery money trail

OGONE TLHAGEWINDHOEKThe money trail in the Fishrot saga was further unravelled yesterday when Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator Willem Olivier testified that money had been paid from the accounts of Fishcor to companies owned by former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former Investec CEO James Hatuikulipi, Tamson Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo.The revelations were made during the bail hearing of suspended Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya. During cross-examination by deputy prosecutor general Ed Marondedze, Olivier said N$75.6 million had been paid over from Fishcor to companies owned by the accused. The money was generated by selling fishing quotas.The money was paid over to the companies through DHC Incorporated, Olivier further said.“Mr Nghipunya was appointed as Fishcor CEO, that he was appointed on a full-time basis and that he should not engage in other work. We have established that he was involved in other activities. There was a vehicle used to distribute money to other companies that the other accused had an interested in. He was the CEO and part and parcel of the co-accused that made those payments through DHC Incorporated,” said Olivier.“Those monies were paid over to Salex Investments and distributed to Olea Investments, Otwafika, Cambarada and JTH Trading. “The accused persons have an interest in those companies, Pius Mwatelulo, Sakeus Shanghala, Tamson Hatuiklipi and James Hatuikulipi,” he added. Spending spreeAccording to Olivier, investigations showed that several purchases were made.“We established that they purchased assets; motor vehicles, houses and also the payment of a farm,” Olivier said.“This spending had nothing to do with government objectives; it did not benefit the Namibia Fish Consumption Trust which administers the distribution of fish to the public.”Olivier further testified that Nghipunya had instructed Icelandic fishing company Samherji to make the payments in exchange for the quotas. Fully aware“He was fully aware of the selling of the quotas and received instructions of how to sell these quotas. The accused person played a major role that the fish was sold and, in the end, there was a flow of money that landed in the hands of the accused persons. We have investigated the flow of money,” Olivier said.Nghipunya's bail hearing was postponed to today by Magistrate Ingrid Unengu.

More details emerge of bribery money trail

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-24

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More details emerge of bribery money trail

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-24

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