Also known as: former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau · former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernardt Esau · former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau
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The Namibian
Bernhard Esau has been held in custody for nearly six and a half years since arrest in November 2019
“He reminded Du Plessis that Esau has been held in custody for nearly six and a half years since his arrest near the end of November 2019, and he is still waiting for the state's first witness to testify in his trial.”
Esau wants delayed Fishrot trial to now proceedThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau is represented by defence lawyer Florian Beukes
“Defence lawyers Florian Beukes, representing former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau, and Mbanga Siyomunji, on behalf of Tamson Hatuikulipi, informed the judge that they support Gebhardt's arguments and request for the trial to proceed.”
Fishrot accused asks for trial to proceedNew Era
Bernhard Esau was arrested as former minister of fisheries and marine resources
“Gustavo and Shanghala were arrested alongside former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernardt Esau, former Investec Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Nigel van Wyk, Ricardo Gustavo, former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya, Phillipus Mwapopi and Otneel Shuudifonya.”
Fishrot stuck in starting blocksThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau withdrew application to have released over N$6 million from restrained assets for legal fees
“The Namibian in the past reported that former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau and two of his co-accused in the Fishrot corruption and fraud case have withdrawn their applications to have more than N$6 million released from their restrained assets so they can pay their legal fees.”
Private Fishrot lawyers would cost Govt N$6m per yearThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau is Ndapandula's father
“After marrying Esau's daughter, Ndapandula, in 2011, Hatuikulipi bought at least 15 properties in Namibia for N$40 million between 2014 and 2019.”
Fishrot accused Tamson Hatuikulipi’s N$4.5 million Windhoek mansion falls into ruinThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau was alleged to have allocated large fishing permits to Samherji on orders from James Hatuikulipi
“James Hatuikulipi is believed to have used his connections and influence to ensure that the then minister of fisheries of Namibia, Bernhard Esau, allocated or had allocated large fishing permits to the fishing company Samherji and related companies in Namibia and Angola.”
Samherji boss downplays daily contact with StefánssonThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau is former fisheries and marine resources minister, father-in-law of Hatuikulipi
“Hatuikulipi (43), who is a son-in-law of former fisheries and marine resources minister Bernhard Esau, said he entered the Namibian fishing industry based on legitimate business agreements with the Icelandic fishing company group Samherji.”
Fishrot’s Fitty denies marine resources plunderThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau is former minister of fisheries and marine resources
“Hatuikulipi (43), who is the son-in-law of former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau, has been held in custody since his arrest near the end of November 2019.”
Fishrot’s Fitty ready with third attempt for bailThe Namibian
Bernhard Esau is charged in the Fishrot case
“A first bail application by Hatuikulipi and Esau, who is also charged in the Fishrot case, was turned down in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in July 2020.”
Fishrot’s Fitty ready with third attempt for bailThe Namibian
Former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau told courts that S&T allowances were his most lucrative source of income
“Fishrot accused former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau last year told the courts that S&T allowances were his most lucrative source of income, enabling him to live a plush lifestyle that his more than N$1 million salary doesn't 'afford'.”
How The ACC Tolerates CorruptionAn appeal filed by Fishrot accused Otneel Shuudifonya against a postponement ruling was struck off the High Court roll at Windhoek Correctional Facility after the acting judge found his notice for leave to appeal did not comply with Criminal Procedure Act requirements.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
An appeal filed by Fishrot accused Otneel Shuudifonya against a postponement ruling was struck off the High Court roll at Windhoek Correctional Facility after the acting judge found his notice for leave to appeal did not comply with Criminal Procedure Act requirements.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Defence lawyers for accused in the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case have argued that the trial of the 10 individuals charged should proceed while two accused pursue appeals against the judge's refusal to step down from the case.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A defence lawyer representing one of ten accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial has argued to the High Court that proceedings should continue while appeals against earlier rulings are pursued, citing delays since 2021 and the constitutional right to trial within a reasonable period. Other defence lawyers largely supported the argument, though one disagreed, and the judge is scheduled to hear further oral arguments on 24 April.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Fishrot case has been postponed to 24 April 2026 as former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala pursues leave to appeal a ruling dismissing his request for Judge Marelize du Plessis to recuse herself. Ricardo Gustavo's lawyer argues the repeated delays infringe the accused's right to a speedy trial and violate constitutional rights.
16 April 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by three Fishrot accused—former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo—challenging the prosecutor general's use of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act to seize their assets. The court upheld the High Court's restraint order covering bank funds, properties, vehicles, and luxury goods, finding that the prosecutor general may rely on Anti-Corruption Commission evidence rather than police investigations alone.
7 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Three accused in the Fishrot fraud case—former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo—lost their Supreme Court appeal against an assets restraint order imposed under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The court upheld the High Court's 2023 confirmation of the restraint, which freezes assets including bank funds, property, vehicles, and luxury goods belonging to six of the accused, and ordered the three appellants to pay the prosecutor general's legal costs.
3 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Government-appointed curators tasked with seizing assets linked to the Fishrot corruption scandal face legal hurdles and institutional delays in accessing foreign properties owned by suspects, with a February 2025 court order needed to extend seizure powers abroad. The curators report ongoing obstacles including uncooperative banks, missed meetings with defendants, and slow responses from financial institutions, hampering their efforts to catalogue and recover assets valued at over N$317 million.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Legal experts say engaging senior private practitioners to prosecute the Fishrot fraud case would cost the government at least N$6 million annually, far more than the state advocates currently handling it—though prosecutors benefit from job security and pension entitlements unavailable in private practice.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
An unfinished N$4.5 million house in Windhoek owned by Fishrot-accused Tamson Hatuikulipi is falling into disrepair, with structural damage and stolen materials, while court-appointed curators consider how to preserve the property's value under a 2020 asset restraint order related to the corruption case.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Two high-profile state prosecutors leading the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial, Deputy Prosecutor General Ed Marondedze and State Prosecutor Cliff Lutibezi, threatened to resign over low pay and were subsequently granted a N$54,000 monthly salary increase. The salary increase has drawn criticism from some colleagues whose own pleas for raises have not been addressed, and from a former deputy prosecutor general who says the timing is problematic given the case's current stage.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Marén de Klerk, a fugitive lawyer wanted in connection with the Fishrot fraud case, is challenging the Namibian Police's seizure of his N$1.3 million retirement annuity with Sanlam Namibia, arguing the seizure violates the Pension Funds Act and that pension benefits cannot be seized under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →