… Addressing acting judge Marilize du Plessis during proceedings in the High Court at Windhoek Correctional Facility, defence lawyer Florian Beukes argued that the trial of the accused arraigned before Du Plessis should proceed while two of the accused are trying to appeal against …
Esau wants delayed Fishrot trial to now proceedNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Florian Beukes
Florian Beukes — defence lawyer in the Fishrot case arguing for trial proceedings and constitutional protections for his client Bernard Esau.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- April 2026
Staff Reporter LAWYER Florian Beukes has asserted his client’s rights in the fisheries and corruption trial involving the former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernard Esau, warning against what he termed oppressive pre-trial incarceration, stating that his client Es …
Esau growing old, says lawyer as he cautions against “oppressive” pre-trial incarceration… 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 proceed… Other lawyers in the matter, Florian Beukes, Mbanga Siyomunji and Milton Engelbrecht concur with Gebhard. …
Fishrot stuck in starting blocks- February 2026
… Lawyers Florian Beukes, representing Esau and his son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi, and Trevor Brockerhoff, representing Ricardo Gustavo, at the time informed judge Orben Sibeya in the Windhoek High Court that they decided to withdraw the applications to have money released from the …
Private Fishrot lawyers would cost Govt N$6m per year… LEGAL ROUTE Lawyer Florian Beukes says inmates who fall victim to rape have the right to sue the ministry or police officers, or the police station were they were held at the time. …
Namibian police reject condoms in cells as rape cases surge: ‘We need laws, not condoms'… Maria Iipumbu was represented by lawyer Florian Beukes, while Titus Iipumbu was represented by Mbanga Siyomunji and Profysen Muluti represented Jakob.
Fraud suspect in N$3.9m ||Kharas council case stays in custody… Our client thus claims an amount of N$1 000 000.00 for emotional shock, pain and suffering,” Florian Beukes from Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys said. …
Namdia protection officer widow demands close to N$4 million- January 2026
… The lawyer representing Bernard Esau, Florian Beukes during the proceedings also indicated that it is unclear whether Esau, who was hospitalised yesterday, will join the proceedings on Wednesday. …
Shanghala tears into prosecutors’ fees, raises issues of fair trial- October 2024
… Former Cabinet minister Bernhard Esau (left) and one of his co-accused in the Fishrot case, Nigel van Wyk, in conversation with defence lawyer Florian Beukes in the Windhoek High Court Available for Samherji Previously, the draft of KPMG’s report on so-called “transfer pricing” h …
A different picture: What Samherji boss’ text messages reveal
Politics
Defence lawyers urge judge to proceed with Fishrot trial
The News
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.
Why it matters
Defence lawyers push for Fishrot trial to proceed despite ongoing appeals, keeping focus on Namibia's landmark corruption case.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 27 April
Defence lawyers urge judge to proceed with Fishrot trial
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 →
Friday 24 April
Esau's lawyer argues pre-trial detention is oppressive and unfair
Lawyer Florian Beukes argued in High Court that his client Bernard Esau, 69, has experienced oppressive pre-trial incarceration after seven years in custody since his arrest in November 2019, citing exhausted defence funds and violation of constitutional rights to a speedy trial. Esau and nine co-accused, including former Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala, face 42 counts including corruption and racketeering over allegedly receiving N$300 million in payments to favour the Icelandic fishing company Samherji.
24 April 2026 · Informanté →
Friday 17 April
Fishrot trial should proceed despite ongoing appeals, defence argues
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 →
Thursday 16 April
Fishrot trial postponed as recusal application stays proceedings
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 →
Thursday 26 February
Private lawyers would cost state N$6 million yearly for Fishrot case
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 →
Wednesday 18 February
Police reject condoms in cells amid rising rape cases
Police regional commanders have rejected calls from HIV-AIDS activists to distribute condoms in police holding cells and prisons, where 24 cases of sodomy or rape involving inmates have been recorded since 2023/24, saying such provision would only encourage further offences. Health advocates and civil society organisations counter that condom access is a harm reduction and public health measure, noting that sexual violence occurs in detention facilities and that denying preventive tools does not stop such activity but only increases disease transmission.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Fraud suspect in N$3.9m council tender case remanded in custody
Titus Iipumbu was remanded in custody after appearing in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on fraud, forgery and corruption charges linked to an alleged N$3.9 million misdirected payment by the ||Kharas Regional Council to a company owned by Iipumbu in October 2024. The state argues he poses a flight risk and may interfere with investigations; his mother and co-accused Lucia Jakob were each granted N$50,000 bail.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 4 February
Widow sues Namdia for N$4m over slain protection officer
Shirley Eises, widow of Namdia Senior Protection Officer Francis Eiseb who was shot dead during a January 2025 armed robbery at the state-owned diamond company, is claiming close to N$4 million in compensation for loss of financial support and trauma, arguing that Namdia failed to provide adequate security despite knowing the risks to employees.
4 February 2026 · Informanté →
Wednesday 21 January
Shanghala challenges prosecutor fees as unfair trial issue
Former Justice Minister Sackeus Shanghala has criticized the state's decision to pay prosecutors N$1.5 million in the Fishrot corruption case while denying similar funding to defence counsel, arguing it violates fair trial principles and creates unequal arms between prosecution and defence. The High Court has postponed the matter to 21 January 2026 for a ruling on the remuneration dispute and whether the trial should be postponed.
21 January 2026 · Informanté →