Mwapopi ‘did not see’ N$1.9m of fish

JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEKFrom being a full-time police officer and fish trader to being a runner, consultant and supplying equipment for vessel repairs, Phillipus Mwapopi was not shy to tell the court about his wide-ranging business acumen - through which he raked in millions.The Fishrot accused and former Windhoek City Police officer described himself yesterday, during his bail application, as a ‘jack of all trades’ who pounced on any business opportunity that presented itself.He landed business deals worth millions as a middleman.One such deal saw him providing consultancy services to a fishing entity called Low-Key Investments. This despite him having no track record of doing any work as a consultant at the time.According to a forensic report by accounting and audit firm Deloitte, Mwapopi’s Ndjako Investments received payments totalling about N$19.7 million from Low-Key Investments between July 2018 and January 2019.During the start of the bail proceedings last year, it came to light that Low-Key Investments had access to hake fishing quotas through Fishcor.Mwapopi also told the prosecution team that spending his money in any manner he deemed fit was up to him.State prosecutor Cliff Lutibezi asked him “what was so special about you that Low-Key Investments approached you out of all people when you had no experience in the type of work they needed you to do?”Mwapopi confidently responded: “I marketed myself. It’s about marketing yourself, plus I have a high regard for my ability. I told them I can do the job and they agreed,” he said.When he took the stand yesterday, Mwapopi told the court that the consignment included 173 bags of horse mackerel, 200 bags of dried kingklip bones and 150 bags of dried hake heads, bought for about N$1.9 million, sold by a certain Mr Nicky, who served as police officer at the time.According to Mwapopi, this Mr Nicky has since passed on.He said he bought the fish for cash for N$900 or N$1 000 per bag. Mwapopi said his company Wanakadu Investments provided the dried fish to Fishcor for the drought relief programme.Vessel repairAccording to Mwapopi, he also offered vessel repair and maintenance consultancy services to Low-Key Investments, which included sourcing accessories to repair shipping vessels.He confirmed at this point that “experience to me was not a factor”, however, he was paid N$5 million for the work.After questioning from the State, he conceded that he did not really offer maintenance but rather shared information, including catering services.“I was like their ‘run boy’ in Namibia. I can say I was doing everything. There was no company registered; I did all of that, including banking.”There were also ‘review processes and continuous assessment’ services rendered by him.His consultancy services ran from 2016 until March 2018.The cross-examination continues this morning in the Windhoek High Court before Judge Uietele Shafimana.jemima@namibiansun.com

Mwapopi ‘did not see’ N$1.9m of fish

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-17

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Mwapopi ‘did not see’ N$1.9m of fish

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-17

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