Shanghala seeks separate trial

WINDHOEK, 02 SEP (NAMPA) - Former Minister of Justice, Sakeus Shanghala on Monday filed an application seeking a separate trial in the Fishrot matter in which he stands accused.
Shanghala, alongside James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo, objected to taking pleas without legal representation.
The three are charged alongside former Fisheries Minister Bernardt Esau, Mike Nghipunya, Ricardo Gustavo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Otneel Shuudifonya, Phillipus Mwapopi and Nigel van Wyk.
The suspects are charged with 42 charges ranging from racketeering and money laundering to corruption and fraud. They were arrested in 2019 after they allegedly received bribes from Icelandic fishing company Samherji in exchange for fishing quotas.
Last week, presiding Judge Moses Chinhengo ordered that the trial commence, with or without legal representation.
Shanghala in his affidavit said a separate trial would allow the trial of his co-accused to proceed unhindered and without delay.
“The lack of legal representation has prejudiced the unrepresented accused applicants in that they were unable to consider and prepare. If the separation is not granted, the right to a speedy trial will trump the right to a substantive fair trial, favouring those represented accused over the unrepresented accused for the sake of a speedy trial,” Shanghala said in his affidavit, adding that the presiding judge had not afforded him, James Hatuikulipi and Mwatelulo a reasonable opportunity to secure legal representation.
Last week, Judge Chinhengo ordered the trial to continue, with pleas to be taken on Monday. One of the suspects, Gustavo, was however not in attendance as he had been admitted to a Windhoek hospital.
Chinhengo postponed the matter to Tuesday.
(NAMPA)
EB/HP/AS