Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Sacky Shanghala

Also known as: former attorney general and justice minister Sacky Shanghala · former Minister of Justice Sacky Shanghala · former minister Sacky Shanghala · former justice minister Sacky Shanghala · former attorney general and minister of justice Sacky Shanghala

Former attorney general and justice minister facing fraud, corruption and racketeering charges in the Fishrot case.

2022-09-042026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. May 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Sacky Shanghala gave oral arguments on an attempt to appeal against a ruling dismissing his application for recusal

    Source

    “Du Plessis yesterday also heard oral arguments from former attorney general and minister of justice Sacky Shanghala and deputy prosecutor general Cliff Lutibezi on an attempt by Shanghala and one of his co-accused, James Hatuikulipi, to appeal against a ruling in which she dismissed an application for her to step down from the case in March.”

    Fishrot case appeal attempt fails
  3. April 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Sacky Shanghala is asking to appeal to the Supreme Court against a recusal ruling by Du Plessis

    Source

    “Former attorney general and minister of justice Sacky Shanghala and his business partner James Hatuikulipi are asking Du Plessis to allow them to appeal to the Supreme Court against her decision five weeks ago not to recuse herself from their criminal case about the alleged illegal acquisition and use of Namibian fishing quotas.”

    Esau wants delayed Fishrot trial to now proceed

  5. Namibian Sun

    Sacky Shanghala should be kept away from public administration

    Source

    “You're mature enough to buy nappies but too childish to tell that Martin Lukato would be a joke of a president or that Sacky Shanghala should be kept away from public administration.”

    THE WEEKENDER'S ROAST: Sweet Sixteens: Old enough for babies, too young to vote

  6. The Namibian

    Sacky Shanghala asked Du Plessis to step down from the case

    Source

    “Following that ruling, Shanghala and Hatuikulipi asked Du Plessis to step down from the case.”

    Fishrot accused asks for trial to proceed

  7. New Era

    Sacky Shanghala is charged with corruptly receiving payments of at least N$300 million

    Source

    “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 stalemate

  8. New Era

    Sacky Shanghala had appeal dismissed with costs against restraint order on forfeited assets

    Source

    “An appeal by former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former Investec Asset Management managing director, James Hatuikulipi, and businessman Pius Mwatelulo was dismissed with costs.”

    Fishrot assets to remain frozen

  9. The Namibian

    Sacky Shanghala lodged an appeal against a Poca restraint order on his assets

    Source

    “An appeal of former attorney general and minister of justice Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo against a Poca restraint order in respect of a wide range of assets belonging to them was dismissed in the Supreme Court in Windhoek on Thursday.”

    Fishrot accused lose Supreme Court challenge over seized assets

  10. The Namibian

    Sacky Shanghala lost Supreme Court appeal against assets restraint order

    Source

    “The appeal of former attorney general and minister of justice Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo was dismissed in the Supreme Court in Windhoek on Thursday.”

    Fishrot accused lose appeal against assets restraint order

  11. The Namibian

    Sacky Shanghala caused delays through technical court submissions

    Source

    “The delays are largely due to technical court submissions of his co-accused, former minister of justice Sacky Shanghala.”

    Govt struggles to net Fishrot assets abroad as legal hurdles and bank delays stall progress
  12. March 2026

  13. New Era

    Sacky Shanghala brought forth application to recuse the judge on grounds of bias

    Source

    “The application, which was brought forth in February this year, contended that she should recuse herself on the grounds that she harboured bias and would not be able to preside over the matter impartially.”

    Shanghala’s recusal application dismissed
Mining & Energy

Energy minister grants Vitol exclusive fuel import mandate

The News

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.

Why it matters

Energy minister's exclusive fuel import deal to a foreign trader raises immediate concerns about market capture and government accountability in a critical sector.

19 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  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.

    19 hours ago · 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 →

Saturday 25 April

  1. Namibian opinion: 16-year-olds mature enough for parenthood, voting

    An opinion piece argues the contradiction in Namibian law: 16-year-olds are allowed to become parents and enter relationships, yet must wait until 18 to vote. The author contends that if maturity is the standard, the current voting age threshold is arbitrary, particularly since young people are most affected by policies on education, healthcare, and employment.

    25 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Monday 23 March

  1. High Court judge rejects Fishrot accused's bias challenge

    High Court Judge Marilize du Plessis has dismissed an application by Fishrot-accused former Minister of Justice Sacky Shanghala and co-accused to remove her from the case, rejecting their allegations that she was biased and lacked experience to preside over the trial.

    23 March 2026 · Informanté →

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 →

Thursday 26 February

  1. 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 →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. VP unveils tombstone for 1988 Oshakati bomb blast victims

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi unveiled a memorial tombstone at the ELCIN cemetery in Ongwediva for the 27 people killed in a bomb blast at Oshakati's First National Bank on 19 February 1988. Witbooi pledged that national reconciliation would remain central to Namibian democracy, while noting the blast was intended to intimidate SWAPO and destabilise the independence struggle.

    24 February 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 22 February

  1. President seeks oil licensing control via Petroleum Act amendment

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is proposing to shift upstream oil licensing powers from the minister to the presidency, a move she argues is justified given her removal of a minister over corruption. However, according to an opinion piece by professor Roman Grynberg, the proposed legislation lacks transparency provisions and parliamentary oversight, and extends civil immunity to presidential appointees in ways that could facilitate future corruption similar to the Fishrot scandal.

    22 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 →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Fishrot prosecutors threaten resignation, receive N$54,000 salary increase

    Two high-profile state prosecutors leading the Fishrot fraud and corruption trial, Deputy Prosecutor General Ed Marondedze and State Prosecutor Cliff Lutibezi, threatened to resign over low pay and were subsequently granted a N$54,000 monthly salary increase. The salary increase has drawn criticism from some colleagues whose own pleas for raises have not been addressed, and from a former deputy prosecutor general who says the timing is problematic given the case's current stage.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 February

  1. Accused seek judge's recusal in Fishrot corruption trial

    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 →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Shanghala seeks removal of Acting Judge in Fishrot case

    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 →

Friday 23 January

  1. Judge finds Shanghala and co-accused delaying Fishrot trial

    Acting judge Marilize du Plessis ruled that former justice minister Sacky Shanghala and two co-accused have been using a strategy to delay their Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering trial, which has been pending since October 2021 without witness testimony yet beginning. Du Plessis rejected their postponement applications and ordered the trial to continue, though she granted a brief postponement to allow defence representation time to prepare.

    23 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 22 January

  1. Fishrot corruption trial set to begin March 9, 2026

    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 →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. 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 →

Sacky Shanghala — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute