Windhoek – In a significant development in the Fishrot scandal, the Windhoek High Court granted bail to Nigel van Wyk, one of the accused, setting the bail amount at N.dollars 20,000 on Tuesday. Van Wyk's co-accused, former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, however, had his application for bail dismissed by presiding judge David Munsu.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Van Wyk, who was employed by former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala, another accused in the case, was initially arrested for refusing to grant police access to Shanghala's farm. He is now implicated in the alleged fishing corruption scandal, which involves several high-profile individuals.

The scandal, which has seen the suspects in custody since November 2019, revolves around allegations of corruptly allocating fishing quotas in exchange for bribes. The group of accused includes former Investec Asset Management Managing Director James Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelula, former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya, former Deputy Director in the Otjozondjupa Regional Council Otniel Shuudifonya, and former City Police Officer Phillipus Mwapopi.

In earlier court appearances, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator Andreas Kanyangela testified about the significant tax liabilities of the accused. He revealed that James Hatuikulipi owed the finance ministry large sums from 2014 to 2018, totaling N.dollars 21,473,921. Shanghala was also reported to owe N.dollars 2,101,223 between 2014 and 2019.

Additionally, Kanyangela disclosed financial details of companies associated with the accused. Wanyemba Investments Trust, linked to Nghipunya and Shuudifonya, reportedly owes N.dollars 12,531,294 for 2018 to 2020. Tuafika Logistics cc, owned by Pius Mwatelulo, has a tax liability of N.dollars 2,702,489 for 2014 to 2018. Shuudifonya himself owes the ministry N.dollars 674,234 in taxes.