Florian Beukes — lawyer representing Bernard Esau in the Fishrot corruption trial, arguing pre-trial detention constitutes oppression after seven years in custody.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Informanté
Defence lawyer Florian Beukes argued that the State's case is mostly based on circumstantial evidence with no eyewitnesses
“Defence lawyer Florian Beukes argued that the State's case is mostly based on circumstantial evidence, as there were no eyewitnesses to the murder who could positively identify Murphey as having been the one who took the young woman's life.”
Man found guilty for murder of ex-girlfriendThe Namibian
Defence lawyer Florian Beukes argued that the trial of 10 accused should proceed despite pending appeals
“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 a ruling in which Du Plessis dismissed an application for her to step down from the case.”
Esau wants delayed Fishrot trial to now proceedInformanté
Florian Beukes warned against oppressive pre-trial incarceration of his client Esau
“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 Esau is 69 and has passed the life expectancy rate of the country.”
Esau growing old, says lawyer as he cautions against “oppressive” pre-trial incarcerationThe Namibian
Lawyer Florian Beukes says inmates who fall victim to rape have the right to sue the ministry or police officers or the police station
“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'Informanté
Florian Beukes said Namdia's response is not only legally untenable but shockingly callous
“Beukes said that NAMDIA's response is not only legally untenable but shockingly callous.”
Namdia protection officer widow demands close to N$4 millionA High Court judge has found Henry Murphey guilty of murder and defeating the course of justice in the death of his ex-girlfriend Christiana Chris Beukes, whose body was discovered in her bedroom on 4 March 2023 in Rehoboth. Murphey initially confessed but later raised an alibi defence, which the judge rejected.
22 September 2026 · Informanté →
A High Court judge has found Henry Murphey guilty of murder and defeating the course of justice in the death of his ex-girlfriend Christiana Chris Beukes, whose body was discovered in her bedroom on 4 March 2023 in Rehoboth. Murphey initially confessed but later raised an alibi defence, which the judge rejected.
22 September 2026 · Informanté →
The founder of South Africa's March and March organisation, which focuses on illegal immigration, has said Namibians are "law-abiding citizens" and not targets of anti-immigrant sentiment, despite xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. She described Nigerians as the most problematic nationality, saying they enter without documentation and engage in criminal activity.
17 June 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →