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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Person

James Hatuikulipi

Also known as: James Hatuiklulipi

Businessman arrested in 2019 in connection with the "Fishrot" scandal involving alleged corruption and money-laundering related to fishing quotas.

2023-04-212026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. May 2024

  2. The Namibian

    James Hatuikulipi says there are no funds in two bank accounts in Dubai

    Source

    “James Hatuikulipi, says there are no funds in two bank accounts in Dubai into which more than US$4 million allegedly derived from the sale of unlawfully obtained Namibian fishing quotas was paid.”

    Hatuikulipi says Dubai bank accounts are empty, closed

  3. The Namibian

    James Hatuikulipi says the bank accounts in Dubai were closed before his arrest near the end of November 2019

    Source

    “In his affidavit, Hatuikulipi says the bank accounts in Dubai that Imalwa referred to were closed before his arrest near the end of November 2019.”

    Hatuikulipi says Dubai bank accounts are empty, closed
Politics

Hatuikulipi seeks to overturn judgment on auctioned property

The News

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.

3 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Hatuikulipi seeks to overturn judgment on auctioned property

    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.

    3 September 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 July

  1. Acting prosecutor freezes fugitive lawyer's N$75.3m assets

    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.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 July

  1. Fishrot fraud trial adjourned to October 19

    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.

    16 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 July

  1. Fishrot review case declared ready for High Court hearing

    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.

    10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 5 July

  1. Judge recuses himself from Fishrot civil case over friendship

    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.

    5 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Shanghala petitions Supreme Court over judge removal in corruption trial

    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.

    24 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Ninety One-Sanlam Allianz seek to merge asset management businesses

    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.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 8 June

  1. President appoints retired relative as legal adviser

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed retired chief legal adviser Chris Nghaamwa, her relative, as an adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka effective 1 June. State House defended the appointment, stating Nghaamwa's qualifications and experience in government legal roles made him suitable, and that family relationships do not render individuals unsuitable for public service.

    8 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 7 June

  1. Energy minister grants Vitol exclusive fuel import mandate

    Energy Minister Modestus Amutse granted Swiss commodity trader Vitol an exclusive mandate to supply Namibia's entire fuel needs from June to August under a contract valued at an estimated N$2.4 billion a month, raising concerns about fuel sector capture given Vitol's links to individuals connected to politicians and the decision's apparent circumvention of the Competition Commission's conditions on fuel sourcing.

    7 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Fishrot case: accused's appeal attempt struck off roll

    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 →

Monday 27 April

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Fishrot trial stalls as court grapples with legal procedure dispute

    Proceedings in the high-profile corruption trial of former justice minister Sacky Shanghala and others have stalled over a disagreement about which of two competing appeals applications should be heard first—a recusal challenge or a stay-of-proceedings request. The court has adjourned until 5 May 2026 to resolve the procedural impasse.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Supreme Court upholds freeze on Fishrot corruption saga assets

    Namibia's Supreme Court has upheld a High Court order preventing those accused in the Fishrot corruption case from accessing forfeited assets, rejecting an appeal by former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo. The court found that the Anti-Corruption Commission had proper authority to conduct the investigation and that the restraint order remains valid pending the outcome of the criminal trial, which is scheduled to recommence in March 2026.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Supreme Court upholds asset seizure in Fishrot corruption case

    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 →

Friday 3 April

  1. Fishrot accused lose Supreme Court appeal on asset restraint

    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 →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Curators struggle to recover overseas assets in Fishrot scandal

    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 →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Windhoek High Court dismisses Shanghala's recusal application

    Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis has dismissed an application by former justice minister Sacky Shanghala and James Hatuikulipi to recuse her from their corruption trial related to fishing quotas, finding that the applicants relied on inapplicable civil procedure rules and that their bias claims lacked sufficient factual foundation.

    25 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Minister to investigate alleged conflicts in N$175m rail contract

    Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has pledged to investigate allegations that TransNamib executive engineers who are board members of a joint venture improperly awarded a N$175 million railway maintenance contract without proper procurement processes. TransNamib denies the allegations, stating it adheres to all procurement procedures and holds 51% of the joint venture.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Judge Du Plessis refuses to step down from Fishrot trial

    Acting judge Marilize du Plessis rejected an application by two accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case to recuse herself, finding that her factual observations about trial delays did not demonstrate bias and that her acquaintance with two state witnesses would not affect her impartiality.

    24 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Fishrot defendants clash over judge removal bid

    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 →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Fishrot defendant opposes co-accused recusal bid against judge

    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 →

  2. Former justice minister seeks judge's recusal in fisheries trial

    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 →

Sunday 1 March

  1. Prison seeks to move Fishrot accused to communal cells again

    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 →

Friday 20 February

  1. Fishrot accused's N$4.5m Windhoek mansion deteriorates under court restraint

    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 →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. High Court sets aside prison relocation of Fishrot accused

    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 →

Saturday 14 February

  1. Judge sets aside prison relocation of four Fishrot accused

    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 →

Friday 13 February

  1. Gustavo opposes Shanghala's attempt to remove judge from Fishrot case

    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 →

James Hatuikulipi — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute