PDM calls for prosecution of all involved in Fishrot
NAMPA
WINDHOEK
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called for the prosecution of all those implicated in the Fishrot scandal, irrespective of whether they benefitted directly or indirectly.
The party made the call in a statement issued by PDM member of parliament Inna Hengari in response to the testimony of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator Willem Olivier during the bail hearing of former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and his son-in-law, Tamson Hatuikulipi, in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court last week.
During the hearing, Olivier informed the court that at least N$17.5 million was paid by state-owned fishing company Fishcor to law firm Sisa Namandje & Co, and used for a Swapo election campaign. The PDM said the bail hearing brings to light the ruling party's involvement in the Fishrot saga and is a slap in the face of the electorate, as money intended for development was used to finance a political campaign instead.
Abuse of resources
It further said political corruption is a gross conflict of interest, with elected political leaders and their families or cronies holding substantial business interests.
“It takes the form of abuse of state resources, such as using taxpayer's money to finance election campaigns and businesses bankrolling candidates to turn them into their clients. This is where we are as a country.” The party also said these acts of greed will take Namibia nowhere and it is primarily because of acts of this nature that a generation of young people are left out in the cold to fend for themselves. “Swapo's leadership has crippled the economy and must be held accountable,” it said, adding that those who authorised the transactions must also be brought to book in a competent court of law.
Fraud, corruption, money laundering
Esau and Hatuikulipi, along with former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former Investec Asset Management Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo, as well as suspended Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya, stand accused of fraud, corruption and money laundering, which the ruling party allegedly benefitted from. They, amongst others, allegedly received bribes in return for giving Icelandic fishing company Samherji preferential access to Namibia's fishing grounds.
WINDHOEK
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called for the prosecution of all those implicated in the Fishrot scandal, irrespective of whether they benefitted directly or indirectly.
The party made the call in a statement issued by PDM member of parliament Inna Hengari in response to the testimony of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator Willem Olivier during the bail hearing of former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau and his son-in-law, Tamson Hatuikulipi, in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court last week.
During the hearing, Olivier informed the court that at least N$17.5 million was paid by state-owned fishing company Fishcor to law firm Sisa Namandje & Co, and used for a Swapo election campaign. The PDM said the bail hearing brings to light the ruling party's involvement in the Fishrot saga and is a slap in the face of the electorate, as money intended for development was used to finance a political campaign instead.
Abuse of resources
It further said political corruption is a gross conflict of interest, with elected political leaders and their families or cronies holding substantial business interests.
“It takes the form of abuse of state resources, such as using taxpayer's money to finance election campaigns and businesses bankrolling candidates to turn them into their clients. This is where we are as a country.” The party also said these acts of greed will take Namibia nowhere and it is primarily because of acts of this nature that a generation of young people are left out in the cold to fend for themselves. “Swapo's leadership has crippled the economy and must be held accountable,” it said, adding that those who authorised the transactions must also be brought to book in a competent court of law.
Fraud, corruption, money laundering
Esau and Hatuikulipi, along with former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former Investec Asset Management Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo, as well as suspended Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya, stand accused of fraud, corruption and money laundering, which the ruling party allegedly benefitted from. They, amongst others, allegedly received bribes in return for giving Icelandic fishing company Samherji preferential access to Namibia's fishing grounds.
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