Namibia ‘confident’ of De Klerk extradition
The ministry of justice says it is confident it will secure the extradition of runaway lawyer Marén de Klerk to allow him to be charged in the same vein as his Fishrot co-accused.
Ministry spokesperson Simon Idipo said the country applied for De Klerk’s extradition in October 2021 and they are confident the request will be entertained.
“Extradition processes are protracted in nature, which may lead them to take time before wanted persons are extradited to the countries they are requested at.
"Namibia and its sister country South Africa continue to work together in collaboration on issues of mutual legal assistance, which has been the same in this extradition request,” Idipo said.
“It is thus indicative enough for us to be confident that Mr De Klerk will be extradited and face the criminal allegations levelled against him in the fishing corruption case famously known as Fishrot,” he added.
‘President-mandated’
De Klerk has been living in South Africa since February 2020, three months after former ministers Bernhardt Esau and Sacky Shanghala as well as other accused were arrested in connection with the scandal.
De Klerk is set to be charged for his reported role in facilitating the transfer of N$50 million in alleged bribes through the trust account of his now defunct law firm, DHC Incorporated.
The money was, in turn, allegedly paid to the men implicated in the scandal.
In an affidavit, De Klerk alleged that Shanghala and James Hatuikulipi approached him for help in setting up corporate structures to process donations from supporters of the ruling Swapo Party, and that the president had mandated the project.
Ministry spokesperson Simon Idipo said the country applied for De Klerk’s extradition in October 2021 and they are confident the request will be entertained.
“Extradition processes are protracted in nature, which may lead them to take time before wanted persons are extradited to the countries they are requested at.
"Namibia and its sister country South Africa continue to work together in collaboration on issues of mutual legal assistance, which has been the same in this extradition request,” Idipo said.
“It is thus indicative enough for us to be confident that Mr De Klerk will be extradited and face the criminal allegations levelled against him in the fishing corruption case famously known as Fishrot,” he added.
‘President-mandated’
De Klerk has been living in South Africa since February 2020, three months after former ministers Bernhardt Esau and Sacky Shanghala as well as other accused were arrested in connection with the scandal.
De Klerk is set to be charged for his reported role in facilitating the transfer of N$50 million in alleged bribes through the trust account of his now defunct law firm, DHC Incorporated.
The money was, in turn, allegedly paid to the men implicated in the scandal.
In an affidavit, De Klerk alleged that Shanghala and James Hatuikulipi approached him for help in setting up corporate structures to process donations from supporters of the ruling Swapo Party, and that the president had mandated the project.
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