WINDHOEK: Acting High Court Judge Moses Chinhengo dismissed an application by former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala to delay the plea-taking process in the Fishrot corruption case. Shanghala argued irregularities in the plea process for himself and his co-accused, but the court found no sufficient cause for postponement.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the application was made by Shanghala on Thursday morning, challenging the proceedings citing concerns about how he and co-accused, including former fisheries minister Bernard Esau and others, were made to plea to 42 charges involving fraud, racketeering, and corruption. The charges stem from allegations of receiving bribes from Icelandic fishing company Samherji in exchange for fishing quotas. The accused were arrested in 2019 and have been in detention since.
On Wednesday, Shanghala, alongside James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelula, refused to plead and instead contested the judge’s jurisdiction. Consequently, the judge entered not guilty pleas on their
behalf. State Prosecutor Cliff Lutibezi criticized Shanghala’s application as an attempt to delay the trial. In response, Shanghala expressed frustration over his prolonged detention and questioned the intentions of the trial’s expediency.
Co-accused Mike Nghipunya and Phillipus Mwapopi opposed Shanghala’s request for postponement, emphasizing their right to a speedy trial. Judge Chinhengo ruled that Shanghala failed to demonstrate sufficient cause for delay, thereby instructing the State to continue with the proceedings.