Fitty profited N$75m from Fishrot - Kanyangela

The Fishrot defendants profited about N$317 million from the fraud and bribery scandal, with N$75 million of this ending up in the pockets of Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi, the High Court heard yesterday.This according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lead investigator on Fishrot, chief inspector Andreas Kanyangela, who is the State’s first witness in Hatuikulipi’s bail application.The application, which is based on new facts, continued yesterday after previously being adjourned on 1 September after Hatuikulipi testified for five days.‘Link to the minister&#039;During Hatuikulipi’s cross-examination in August, the State claimed he became involved in the Fishrot scandal through then fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, who is his father-in-law.According to Kanyangela, the Samherji group emailed Hatuikulipi a document he was meant to deliver to Esau."I believe those documents did reach the former minister because the original document was found at his house when it was searched by the police. The applicant was the link between Samherji and the minister," the ACC investigator said.&#039;Investigation was thorough&#039;Kanyangela also assured the public prosecutor that the investigation did not drag on and that everything was done thoroughly and by the book."Although some information is still outstanding, there is more than enough evidence to proceed with the trial."The ACC has collected more than 300 statements and has numerous other pieces of evidence including bank statements, emails, an audit report and other documents, he said.There are currently 11 Fishrot defendants, nine of whom are in custody. The only accused who has been granted bail to date is Ricardo Gustavo.Hatuikilipi and Esau as well as Mike Nghipunya, Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, Otneel Shuudifonya, Pius Mwatelelo, Phillipus Mwapopi and Nigel van Wyk are all behind bars.Lawyer Marén de Klerk, whose law firm’s bank account was allegedly used to distribute the stolen money, is still at large and is rumoured to be in South Africa.- kristien@republikein.com.na

Fitty profited N$75m from Fishrot - Kanyangela

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Fitty profited N$75m from Fishrot - Kanyangela

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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