WINDHOEK: Former Minister of Justice, Sacky Shanghala, currently detained since 2019, has vehemently dismissed the charges against him as laughable and nonsensical. He was charged with contravening Section 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, which alleges that Shanghala, along with his co-accused and Icelandic fishing company Samherji, conspired to fraudulently procure fish quotas.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the charges are part of a wider case involving 42 counts, with the primary allegation being that the accused operated as a syndicate to access fish quotas without being rightful holders. Shanghala and his co-defendants, including former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Bernhardt Esau, are accused of misrepresenting to authorities that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was negotiated to promote economic relations. However, the indictment claims the MoU was intended solely to benefit the accused.
Shanghala criticized the lack of statements from government bodies, including the Cabinet an
d the late President Hage Geingob, asserting that no official statement has been provided regarding the charges. He further expressed skepticism about the presiding Judge Moses Chinhengo’s understanding of the case, given his background from a landlocked country.
The list of co-accused includes prominent figures such as former Fishcor Chief Executive Officer Mike Nghipunya, Ricardo Gustavo, and James Hatuikulipi, among others. Shanghala has refrained from entering a plea, arguing that Judge Chinhengo lacks jurisdiction, prompting the judge to enter ‘not guilty’ pleas on his behalf. Esau, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty and described the charges as malicious.
The plea proceedings continue at the Windhoek High Court, with the legal battle drawing significant attention.
