Also known as: Hatuikulipi · James Hatuiklulipi · Tamson 'Fitty' Hatuikulipi · Fitty · co-accused
Accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial; assets frozen under Prevention of Organised Crime Act pending trial outcome.
Ex-Cabinet minister Sacky Shanghala is seeking to recuse Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis from the protracted Fishrot corruption trial, arguing her previous pronouncements show bias and prejudice, while co-accused Ricardo Gustavo opposes the application as a delay tactic unsupported by facts of actual bias.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
Ex-Cabinet minister Sacky Shanghala is seeking to recuse Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis from the protracted Fishrot corruption trial, arguing her previous pronouncements show bias and prejudice, while co-accused Ricardo Gustavo opposes the application as a delay tactic unsupported by facts of actual bias.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
Ricardo Gustavo, first accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, says a recusal application by former attorney general Sacky Shanghala and James Hatuikulipi against acting judge Marilize du Plessis is intended to delay the trial. The judge is expected to rule on the recusal application on 23 March.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Former justice minister Shanghala has applied for High Court acting judge Marelize du Plessis to recuse herself from his corruption trial, arguing her statements characterizing his applications as delay tactics and her treatment of parties demonstrate bias. Co-accused and their legal representatives also challenge the judge's competence and impartiality.
10 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Correctional Service is attempting to relocate the four Fishrot-accused inmates from single cells to communal cells at Windhoek Correctional Facility, citing security and operational concerns. The move comes after a High Court judge recently ruled that a similar relocation was unlawful because the accused were not given a fair hearing, and the accused have warned they will return to court if the new notice proceeds.
1 March 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 →
A Windhoek High Court judge has overturned a decision to move four Fishrot defendants from their designated section of Windhoek Correctional Facility, ruling that prison authorities failed to give them a hearing or explain the reasons for the move. The judge affirmed that the accused, who are presumed innocent, have the right to be heard before adverse decisions affecting them are made.
17 February 2026 · The Namibian →
A Windhoek High Court judge has set aside a decision by prison authorities to move four Fishrot fraud trial accused—James Hatuikulipi, Mike Nghipunya, Otneel Shuudifonya and Pius Mwatelulo—from C Section to Echo Unit, finding that the authorities failed to hear them or provide reasons for the relocation. The judge emphasised that trial-awaiting inmates are human beings whose rights must be respected under the rule of law.
14 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Ricardo Gustavo's legal team says they will "oppose vehemently" an application by former attorney general Sacky Shanghala and co-accused James Hatuikulipi to have High Court judge Marilize du Plessis step down from the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial. Shanghala claims Du Plessis showed bias through remarks suggesting the accused were using delaying tactics, but the state is also opposing the recusal application, with arguments scheduled for 9 March.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Former attorney general Sacky Shanghala and co-accused James Hatuikulipi have filed an application asking acting judge Marilize du Plessis to step down from their Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering trial, alleging bias and partiality. This is the third recusal application in the case; two previous judges turned down similar requests.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Former justice minister Sacky Shanghala has applied for Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis to recuse herself from presiding over the Fishrot matter, alleging bias and apprehension of partiality based on the Judge's statements and treatment of defence applications. The matter has been postponed to 11 February 2026, with a hearing on the recusal application scheduled for 9 March 2026.
5 February 2026 · New Era →