… Hatuikulipi and several others were arrested in 2019 in relation to the “Fishrot” scandal, standing trial in connection with an alleged racketeering, corruption and money-laundering scheme involving at least N$300 million. …
… lic office-bearer elected or appointed to dismantle colonial-era laws and improve living standards who, after assuming power, turns against the electorate through policies such as communal land compensation rules, the veterinary red line, and corruption scandals including Fishrot …
… That concentration of power led to the Fishrot scandal and the loss of jobs for fishermen, as well as the dishing out of fishing quotas to comrades and politically connected individuals. …
… The president, in particular, must know what is at stake in the Erongo region, where the scars of the Fishrot corruption scandal still affect lives and livelihoods. …
… Even worse, we have seen how this system enabled the Fishrot scandal. Ministers manipulated laws to give themselves excessive power over fishing quotas, leading to corruption that cost us millions and over thousands of jobs. …
… In the particulars of claim, Andreas claims that Ya Shiindi directed defamatory remarks towards him between March and May 2026, alleging that he is a corrupt criminal involved in state capture and the “Fishrot” corruption scandal, and that he is a dishonest person or a liar who d …
… This admission comes after the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) criticised the programme, saying the initiative has failed to deliver meaningful employment for fisheries workers affected by job losses linked to the Fishrot corruption scandal. …
… He said the ACC said despite facing tense scrutiny over its effectiveness and operational independence for almost 20 years and the pace of pending high-profile cases, like the Fishrot case, the ACC remains a vital mechanism for combating public sector corruption and safeguarding …
… De Klerk left Namibia shortly after he had been questioned by Anti-Corruption Commission investigators in connection with the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case about the alleged illegal allocation and use of Namibian fishing quotas worth hundreds of millions of Nami …
Businessman James Hatuikulipi has lodged an urgent application in August 2026 to overturn a judgment that led to the auctioning of his Finkenstein property, claiming new evidence shows levies were paid despite the auction proceeding. Hatuikulipi is among those arrested in 2019 in connection with the "Fishrot" scandal, accused of involvement in an alleged racketeering, corruption and money-laundering scheme involving at least N$300 million related to bribes from Icelandic fishing company Samherji for horse mackerel quotas.
Businessman James Hatuikulipi has lodged an urgent application in August 2026 to overturn a judgment that led to the auctioning of his Finkenstein property, claiming new evidence shows levies were paid despite the auction proceeding. Hatuikulipi is among those arrested in 2019 in connection with the "Fishrot" scandal, accused of involvement in an alleged racketeering, corruption and money-laundering scheme involving at least N$300 million related to bribes from Icelandic fishing company Samherji for horse mackerel quotas.
The author argues that education and intelligence are not the same thing, and that knowledge reproduction differs from genuine thinking. AI systems that provide answers without fostering reasoning risk exacerbating this problem by supplying information without teaching people how to think independently.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's persistent economic and social problems—unresolved land questions, debt, unemployment, and poverty—stem not from democracy itself but from those entrusted to implement it. The author contends that a growing narrative blaming democracy and the Constitution is a misdiagnosis of the deeper structural problem.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's constitutional framework treats opposition parties as inferior and enables majority rule to suppress truth and facts in parliamentary and cabinet decisions, calling for amendment of Articles 32 and 35 to establish a consensus-based system of governance.
The Namibian editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for opposing seabed phosphate mining but criticizes the lack of clear policy, after environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti granted Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate despite more than a decade of unresolved controversy.
An editorial argues that Namibia's 35-year-old inherited Westminster governance system does not suit the country's traditional consensus-based decision-making and ubuntu values, and suggests other African nations like Botswana have succeeded by adapting governance to their own cultures.
Petrina Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi of the Independent Patriots for Change faces a defamation lawsuit from businessman Josef Andreas, who is demanding N$250,000 and a public apology for comments Ya Shiindi made on Facebook between March and May 2026, alleging Andreas is corrupt and involved in state capture and the Fishrot scandal. Despite the court case, Ya Shiindi has continued to post accusations against Andreas on social media.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has admitted that 912 beneficiaries under the Government Employment Redress Programme are not actively employed, out of 2,255 total beneficiaries, following criticism from the Institute for Public Policy Research that the programme has failed to deliver meaningful employment for fisheries workers affected by the Fishrot corruption scandal.
Former Anti-Corruption Commission director general Paulus Noa has advised his successor, Bryan Eiseb, to uphold the rule of law and resist public and political pressure, cautioning that public opinion should never dictate investigative decisions and warning against entertaining personal, material, or political agendas.
Acting prosecutor general Martha Imalwa has obtained a Prevention of Organised Crime Act property restraint order in respect of fugitive lawyer Marén de Klerk's assets valued at up to N$75.3 million, as well as assets valued at up to N$2.3 million in respect of the close corporation Moyo Estates. De Klerk, who left Namibia in January 2020 and is believed to be living in South Africa, is wanted in connection with the Fishrot fraud case involving alleged illegal allocation of Namibian fishing quotas.
With Swapo's elective congress a little over a year away, veteran party leaders have called on the ruling party to strictly uphold its constitution, restore internal discipline, and refocus on ordinary Namibians' concerns. Former Cabinet minister Jerry Ekandjo cited the party's loss of its two-thirds majority in the National Assembly—now holding 51 seats while opposition parties collectively occupy 45—and urged the party to follow constitutional provisions, including filling the long-vacant vice president position.
The High Court has postponed the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case—concerning alleged unlawful allocation of Namibian fishing quotas—to 19 October. Former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, one of ten charged, said a Supreme Court petition challenging the judge's refusal to step down from the case remains pending, and a related civil application by four of the accused is scheduled for hearing on 15 September.
Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.
More than 1,000 former Namibian fisheries workers have asked Icelandic prosecutors to recognise them as victims in criminal proceedings linked to the Fishrot corruption scandal involving Icelandic fishing company Samherji. The workers argue they suffered direct harm from alleged corrupt conduct between 2012 and 2019, including job losses, food and housing insecurity, school fee difficulties, debt accumulation, and psychological stress.
Affirmative Repositioning MP Vaino Hangula backed the nomination of Bryan Eiseb as Anti-Corruption Commission director general and the extension of deputy director general Erna van der Merwe, but warned that public confidence in the ACC has eroded over two decades of unmet expectations, particularly following the Fishrot scandal, and pledged his party would subject the institution to close scrutiny.
A High Court review application brought by former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala and 14 co-applicants against the Anti-Corruption Commission and other respondents has been declared ready for hearing. The parties proposed hearing dates in July or August 2026 and seek to have the entire Fishrot investigation declared unlawful.
The Namibian public, media, and civil society have limited access to fisheries-related information including scientific reports, quota allocations, and compliance data, making it difficult to understand how marine resources are assessed and managed without a consolidated public platform.
Judge Boas Usiku recused himself from hearing a wide-ranging application by four Fishrot fraud and corruption accused in the Windhoek High Court after determining that his friendship with ACC director general Paulus Noa could create a view of bias. The application, in which the accused seek to restrain the prosecutor general from continuing their criminal prosecution until their civil case is decided, was postponed to 9 July.
The Namibian government has requested a temporary postponement of a civil case brought by ESJA Investments (a Samherji subsidiary) seeking N$162.6 million in funds related to the MFV Heinaste fishing vessel involved in the Fishrot scandal, citing witness safety concerns and stating the main witness should testify in the criminal matter first before the civil case proceeds.
Former Justice Minister Sackeus Shanghala and co-accused James Hatuikulipi have filed a Supreme Court petition seeking the removal of Judge Marelize du Plessis from their fisheries and corruption trial, after she dismissed their recusal application in March 2026. A lawyer for another accused has also indicated plans to apply for bail release, citing compromised fair trial rights and inadequate consultation facilities.
The Namibian editorial argues that senior officials—advisers, executive directors, chief executives and civil servants—have a duty to speak truth to power and not remain silent to stay close to authority, citing the upcoming transitions of the prosecutor general and Anti-Corruption Commission director general.
Ninety One Namibia and Sanlam Allianz Namibia plan to combine their active asset management businesses, operating under the Ninety One Namibia brand with a 15-year term, though the deal awaits shareholder and regulatory approvals including from the Namibia Competition Commission.
Iceland's finance minister attributed the Fishrot scandal to corruption in Namibia rather than Iceland, a comment an Icelandic journalist and former Transparency International Iceland director calls emotional escapism rooted in "Icelandic exceptionalism"—a delusional belief that Iceland is inherently uncorrupt and that corruption is merely a "foreign infection."
Former Angolan fisheries minister Vitória de Barros Neto has denied responsibility for alleged misappropriation of around 300 million kwanzas in public funds from fish commercialisation in the common marine zone between Namibia and Angola during her 2012–2019 tenure. The trial, which began in December 2019, is not connected to Namibia's Fishrot scandal, though both involve fisheries-sector corruption around the same period.
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.
Maren de Klerk, a lawyer implicated in the "Fishrot" corruption scandal, disputes Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo's claim that he cannot seek redress from the courts on seized assets while alleged to be a fugitive. De Klerk argues the Constitution guarantees every person the right to approach courts, and asserts his pension benefits of about N$1.3 million were accrued from legitimate legal work.
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.
Iceland's finance minister Daði Már Kristófersson has said corruption in the Fishrot case reflects Namibia and not Iceland, following media coverage of Icelandic fishing company Samherji's operations. Namibian MP Rodney Cloete rejected the statement, arguing it ignores the role of foreign companies involved in the scandal.
Icelandic artist Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson created a fabricated website and press release falsely claiming to be from Alda Seafood Holding, apologising for alleged corporate wrongdoing in Namibia linked to the Fishrot scandal. The spoof was designed as an artistic intervention to highlight issues of corporate accountability and freedom of expression, and misled at least two prominent Namibian daily newspapers.
Six years after the Fishrot scandal, Namibia's fisheries sector remains governed by excessive secrecy with no publicly accessible register of fishing rights holders, quota allocations, or beneficial owners. The same structural weaknesses that enabled the fraud—concentrated discretionary powers, opaque allocation processes, and 'paper quota holders' profiting without investment—remain largely intact, requiring political will to implement transparency reforms.