Africa-Press – Namibia. EXPECTATIONS of spending the festive season outside the confines of prison by six men seeking bail in the Fishrot case have been dashed. Judge Shafimana Ueitele today postponed bail hearings for all applicants to 24 January 2022. This was announced while one of the Fishrot-accused and former police officer, Phillipus Mwapopi, was giving his testimony.
Mwapopi, who faces multiple counts such as racketeering, corruption, conspiring with co-accused, fraud, money laundering and theft, stated that he pleads not guilty on all counts, offering N$62 000 bail with the help of friends and family.
He stated he currently holds a 100% interest in the close corporation Wanakadu Investments cc, and denied the State’s allegations that his co-accused Mike Nghipunya has silent interests in the corporation.
Documents part of the Deloitte audit further showed that Wanakadu Investments cc received a N$4.2 million tender deal for the supply of dried fish for drought relief as part of the government objectives programme.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has asserted that the dried fish products were never procured or delivered to Fishcor, a claim Mwapopi vehemently denied.
Mwapopi stated that he sourced the dried fish products from Flamingo Commodity Suppliers. He could, however, not personally ascertain that the goods were delivered. He said that Nghipunya had guaranteed him that the items were delivered, and directed him that he should sign and put a signature on a delivery note.
He said if granted bail, he would not abscond nor interfere with police investigations or witnesses, and would report to police stations daily. Mwapopi said he had been suspended from his job since his incarceration. He said he learned about his involvement in the Fishrot scandal via a WhatsApp note from a friend who told him on 14 December 2020 that he was listed as a suspect and to be arrested.
“My lord, being in prison as I am now, I feel like I need to be given an opportunity to defend myself,” he said.
“The State has mobilised resources from external stakeholders to assist in investigations such as the Deloitte audit report and they have two serious prosecutors. However, I’m an inmate and I don’t have the resources the State has, due to my incarceration. Is this fair? I need to mobilise my own defence,” Mwapopi said.
He stated he has nine siblings and is the only person who earns an income in his family. “I take care of my sister’s siblings. My mother is also ill in the North, and they all depend on me,” Mwapopi said.
The other applicants besides Mwapopi and Nghipunya seeking bail in the high court are former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former chairman of the Fishcor board James Hatuikulipi, and businessmen Otneel Shuudifonya and Pius Mwatelulo.
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