Fitty ‘involved father-in-law’ in Samherji talks

Kristien KrugerWindhoek“The only reason Samherji kept you on board, despite you doing nothing, is because you are the [fisheries] minister’s son-in-law.”These were the words of public prosecutor Ezekiel Ipinge yesterday in the Windhoek High Court during Fishrot accused Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi’s bail application.Ipinge claimed that the Icelandic fishing group only involved Hatuikulipi because of his marriage to the daughter of then fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, who is now his co-accused in the matter. This is Hatuikulipi’s second bail application, which he said is based on new facts. It resumed yesterday after being postponed in July.Hatuikulipi testified on 15 July and the State began its cross-examination yesterday.Family ties that bindDuring cross-examination, Ipinge put it to Hatuikulipi that during his first meeting with Samherji representatives, he showed them his wedding photos to prove that he married Esau’s daughter.“Otherwise you had no interests, experience or knowledge of the fishing industry. Why else would they engage you to get involved in the Namibian fishing industry?” the prosecutor asked.Hatuikulipi denied this and claimed that Jóhannes Stefánsson, a former Samherji executive and the Fishrot whistleblower, asked him about his wedding, which took place a month before the meeting, and asked to see photos.When he showed him the photos, Stefánsson reportedly said: “Is this your wife? The minister’s daughter?”Hatuikulipi asked him how he knew this and Stefánsson allegedly told him: “Don’t worry about it”.Asked by Ipinge why Samherji would hire him as its consultant while he had no experience in the fishing sector, Hatuikulipi claimed it was because his other businesses – in the entertainment industry - were doing well.“Those businesses were not unique to you and have nothing to do with the fishing industry,” Ipinge replied.That meeting took place in November 2011 and the prosecutor pointed out that Samherji started fishing in Namibian waters just two months later.To this, Hatuikulipi responded that he never discussed Samherji’s plans to enter Namibian waters with his father-in-law.‘That’s how business works’Despite signing an agreement with Sammherji that he would approach Namibian fish quota holders to persuade them to enter into agreements with the Icelandic company to catch their quotas, Hatuikulipi said it was – in fact - his co-accused and cousin, James Hatuikulipi, who met with the quota holders. He added that he engaged James due to his knowledge of the fishing industry.“Samherji made a deal with you, but James did all the work. You testified that you worked hard and had sleepless nights, but James did all the work,” Ipinge said.“That’s how business works. I subcontracted James because he had the experience. We met regularly to talk about strategy. It was hard work,” Hatuikulipi said.Judge David Munsu yesterday adjourned the case until tomorrow after Hatuikulipi’s representatives requested more time to consult.– kristien@republikein.com.na

Fitty ‘involved father-in-law’ in Samherji talks

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David S 2 Year Ago 25 August 2022

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Fitty ‘involved father-in-law’ in Samherji talks

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David S 2 Year Ago 25 August 2022

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