Shanghala seeks separate trial

NAMPA

2024-09-02

WINDHOEK, 02 September 2024 - Former Minister of Justice Sakeus Shanghala pictured in the Windhoek High Court. (Photo by: Eba Kandovazu) NAMPA

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

Fishrot

Community

Omuthiya Constituency initiative targets informal sector growth

2026-03-13 17:06:19

Hamunyela visits Katima Farm

2026-03-13 15:09:19

Home Affairs ministry expands services, strengthens security: Iipumbu

2026-03-13 14:29:20

Traditional leaders call for better rural services as Namibia marks 36 years of freedom

2026-03-13 12:36:20

Film industry must share skills to grow, says Theofelus

2026-03-13 12:20:26

Over 60 heads of cattle stolen at Kaenda

2026-03-13 11:17:49

Mariental Municipality employees demand three per cent salary increment

2026-03-12 17:26:33

Otjiwarongo SPWC condemns brutal murder of Sabatha

2026-03-12 17:26:24

Agriculture Ministry officials granted bail in water tank corruption case

2026-03-12 17:16:33

Oshikoto MICT hosts pre-independence film screening

2026-03-12 17:02:01

Ncamagoro community welcomes new sports facility

2026-03-12 14:47:54

Latest NAMPA photos

SWAKOPMUND, 13 March 2026 - Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi (m), Secretary-General for Transport, Communications and Opening-up Democratic Republic of the Congo Pierrot Nke Sana Moko (l) and Zambian Deputy High Commissioner to Namibia Lloyd Himaambo (r) photographed at the 14th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor at Swakopmund. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

KATIMA MULILO, 12 March 2026 - Commissioner-General of the Namibia Correctional Services (NCS), Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 13 MARCH 2026 - Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA

OTJIWARONGO, 12 March 2026 - The Swapo Party Women's Council (SPWC) at Otjiwarongo on Thursday afternon gathered to denounce and condemn the brutal murder of the late Petronella Sabatha who was killed at her house in Etambi location by an 18-year-old suspect at the town on Monday. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

NAMPA

OTJIWARONGO, 12 March 2026 - The Swapo Party Women's Council (SPWC) at Otjiwarongo on Thursday gathered to denounce and condemn the brutal murder of the late Petronella Sabatha who was killed at her house in Etambi location by an 18-year-old suspect at the town on Monday. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

NAMPA

OTJIWARONGO, 12 March 2026 - A section of the Otjiwarongo ANIREP-HopSol solar plant. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

NAMPA

OTJIWARONGO, 12 March 2026 - The official commissioning of the Otjiwarongo ANIREP-HopSol solar plant Thursday afternoon at the town. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

NAMPA