Police reservist caught in Fishrot net
Police reservist Sakaria Kuukwondoka Kokule appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Friday for allegedly trying to bribe an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator to release evidence and bank cards linked to the Fishrot scandal.
The matter was heard by Magistrate Linus Samunzala, who postponed the case to 20 February to allow for further police investigation.
According to the charge sheet, Kokule offered the officer N$250 000 to give him bank cards linked to Fishrot accused James Hatuikulipi and Puis Mwatelulo and their businesses, as well as a handwritten document titled 'total allocation'.
He was remanded in custody at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility with no option to post bail, following an agreement reached between senior public prosecutor Rowan van Wyk and defence attorney Jarmaine Muchali.
The State opposed bail, arguing that it was not in public interest to release Kokule and that he might interfere with the unfolding investigation.
Kokule, who stands accused of obstruction or attempting to defeat the course of justice, will have his case joined with that of Jason Iiyambo, who appeared in connection with the same matter earlier last week.
According to the charge sheet, the two tried to bribe ACC official Junias Iipinge on 21 January.
Their next court appearance is on the same day the main accused in the matter, the so-called Fishrot Six, will appear in court again.
This brings the number of attempts to obstruct the course of justice to three, and includes a case against Nigel van Wyk, who allegedly tried to remove evidence from the home of former justice minister Sacky Shanghala.
Van Wyk is believed to be an employee of Olea Investments, a company owned by Shanghala. Olea allegedly received US$330 000 in bribes paid by Iceland seafood company Samherji.
Shanghala, former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, Hatuikulipi, suspended Investec manager Ricardo Gustavo, Esau's son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi and Hanganeni employee Mwatelulo are accused of accepting bribes from Samherji in exchange for giving the company lucrative Namibian fishing quotas.
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JEMIMA BEUKES
The matter was heard by Magistrate Linus Samunzala, who postponed the case to 20 February to allow for further police investigation.
According to the charge sheet, Kokule offered the officer N$250 000 to give him bank cards linked to Fishrot accused James Hatuikulipi and Puis Mwatelulo and their businesses, as well as a handwritten document titled 'total allocation'.
He was remanded in custody at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility with no option to post bail, following an agreement reached between senior public prosecutor Rowan van Wyk and defence attorney Jarmaine Muchali.
The State opposed bail, arguing that it was not in public interest to release Kokule and that he might interfere with the unfolding investigation.
Kokule, who stands accused of obstruction or attempting to defeat the course of justice, will have his case joined with that of Jason Iiyambo, who appeared in connection with the same matter earlier last week.
According to the charge sheet, the two tried to bribe ACC official Junias Iipinge on 21 January.
Their next court appearance is on the same day the main accused in the matter, the so-called Fishrot Six, will appear in court again.
This brings the number of attempts to obstruct the course of justice to three, and includes a case against Nigel van Wyk, who allegedly tried to remove evidence from the home of former justice minister Sacky Shanghala.
Van Wyk is believed to be an employee of Olea Investments, a company owned by Shanghala. Olea allegedly received US$330 000 in bribes paid by Iceland seafood company Samherji.
Shanghala, former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, Hatuikulipi, suspended Investec manager Ricardo Gustavo, Esau's son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi and Hanganeni employee Mwatelulo are accused of accepting bribes from Samherji in exchange for giving the company lucrative Namibian fishing quotas.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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