First accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, opposing recusal applications by co-accused as delay tactics in the ongoing trial.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Ricardo Gustavo requested that his trial proceed while co-accused appeal a recusal ruling to the Supreme Court
“On the same date, Du Plessis is also scheduled to give a ruling on a request from the first accused in the matter, Ricardo Gustavo, supported by former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau, for their trial to proceed while Shanghala and Hatuikulipi are trying to appeal to the Supreme Court against Du Plessis' decision not to recuse herself from their case.”
Fishrot case appeal attempt failsThe Namibian
Defence lawyer Ileni Gebhardt, representing first accused Ricardo Gustavo asked for the trial to proceed while Shanghala and Hatuikulipi pursue their appeal
“With oral arguments on the application for leave to appeal of Shanghala and Hatuikulipi set to be heard on 5 May, defence lawyer Ileni Gebhardt, representing the first accused in the case, Ricardo Gustavo, asked Du Plessis nearly two weeks ago to order that the trial pending before her should proceed while Shanghala and Hatuikulipi are pursuing their quest to appeal.”
Esau wants delayed Fishrot trial to now proceedThe Namibian
Ricardo Gustavo requested his delayed trial to get going
“defence lawyer Ileni Gebhardt, who is representing the first accused in the Fishrot case, Ricardo Gustavo, said while addressing acting judge Marilize du Plessis in support of a request by Gustavo for his delayed trial to get going.”
Fishrot accused asks for trial to proceedNew Era
Ricardo Gustavo was arrested alongside other accused persons in Fishrot matter
“Gustavo and Shanghala were arrested alongside former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernardt Esau, former Investec Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Nigel van Wyk, Ricardo Gustavo, former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya, Phillipus Mwapopi and Otneel Shuudifonya.”
Fishrot stuck in starting blocksNew Era
Ricardo Gustavo is charged with corruptly receiving payments of at least N$300 million
“Shanghala, Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Bernardt Esau, Gustavo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Mike Nghipunya, Shuudifonya, Phillipus Mwapopi and Nigel van Wyk are charged with corruptly receiving payments of at least N$300 million to give the Icelandic fishing company Samherji a competitive advantage in securing access to horse mackerel quotas in Namibia.”
Fishrot in cul-de-sac …trial stalls amid legal stalemateThe Namibian
Ricardo Gustavo accused Shanghala of using delaying tactics
“Shanghala has in recent weeks been accused of using delaying tactics, with co-accused Gustavo saying a recusal application seeking to have acting judge Marelize du Plessis removed from the case was "merely intended to delay the start of the trial and to further frustrate the proceedings".”
Govt struggles to net Fishrot assets abroad as legal hurdles and bank delays stall progressNew Era
Ricardo Gustavo opposed attempt by Shanghala to remove Du Plessis from presiding over corruption trial
“Gustavo, on the other hand, is opposing any attempt by Shanghala to remove Du Plessis from presiding over the long-running corruption trial, arguing that the application is aimed at delaying the start of the case.”
Shanghala, Gustavo on the Fishrot warpathNew Era
Gustavo argued Shanghala lacks authority to bring recusal application on behalf of another accused
“Gustavo does not buy this, arguing that Shanghala does not have the authority to bring the recusal application on behalf of another accused.”
Shanghala, Gustavo on the Fishrot warpathThe Namibian
Ricardo Gustavo is alleging that a recusal application is intended to delay his trial
“Ricardo Gustavo, is alleging that an application for acting judge Marilize du Plessis to step down from the case is intended to delay the start of his long-pending trial.”
Fishrot accused says recusal bid aims to delay trialInformanté
Ricardo Gustavo filed heads of arguments opposing application to recuse Judge du Plessis from Fishrot trial
“HIGH Court judge Marilize du Plessis has allowed the heads of arguments filed by Ricardo Gustavo, in which he opposes an application made by Sackeus Shanghala to recuse the Fishrot judge, to be taken into the court record.”
Judge approves late filing of arguments of Gustavo opposing judge’s removalAn 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
High Court judge Marilize du Plessis has accepted late-filed arguments by Ricardo Gustavo opposing an application by co-accused Sackeus Shanghala to recuse her from the Fishrot trial. Gustavo argues that Shanghala has not shown evidence of bias, while Shanghala contends that Gustavo's lawyer is not ready for trial, citing scheduling conflicts.
9 March 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
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 →
The Fishrot case has been postponed to 4 February 2026 to arrange legal aid representation for Ricardo Gustavo's companies. Two accused, Bernard Esau and Pius Mwatelulo, were absent due to hospitalisation, and the matter was also postponed for the Court to explain Section 115 rights to unrepresented accused individuals.
28 January 2026 · Informanté →
After nearly six years, the fishing quota corruption trial in which Namibian fisheries resources were allegedly stolen through deals with Icelandic company Samherji will begin on March 9, 2026. Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis rejected multiple postponement applications from former minister Sacky Shanghala and co-accused, ruling that lengthy delays in the civil review process and years of court proceedings weighed against further delay.
22 January 2026 · New Era →