Esau throws Nghipunya under the bus
Ex-buddies point fingers at each other
The disgraced fisheries ex-minister says the former Fishcor boss authorised transactions, including money towards Swapo campaigns, on his own volition.
Former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau yesterday accused former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya of using his [Esau’s] name in schemes for which the pair, and eight others, are now facing prosecution.
A joint bail application by Fishrot defendants Nigel van Wyk and Esau will resume on 22 May after Esau testified yesterday that he did not give instructions for alleged underhand transactions.
"I never suspected anything. I never did the due diligence or confirmations. The minister's office did not have the capacity," he testified.
He denied that he had given the order for payments to the ruling party Swapo, for among other things, "governmental objectives" and a gala dinner held in Rosh Pinah.
Esau also denied ordering a payment of N$200 000 from Fishcor to DHC Inc - a firm belonging to Fishrot accused Marén de Klerk, a justice fugitive thought to be hiding in South Africa.
‘Donation for campaign’
The former fisheries minister and his legal representative, Florian Beukes, also brought an email as evidence before the court.
This email is believed to be written by Nghipunya and instructs that a payment be made to the Swapo Party. It was sent with the subject line "donation for campaign".
Esau opposed Nghipunya's testimony during his own failed bail application, during which he pointed fingers at the disgraced former minister. Nghipunya reportedly testified that Esau ordered these payments.
"My co-accused used my name for their own benefit... Certainly, he [Nghipunya] used my name," he said.
Esau also testified about a plot near Otjiwarongo that was apparently bought for him by Fishcor. He explained that he mentioned to De Klerk that he wanted to buy the plot and made an offer, but that he never received a response from the lawyer. He said this is why the plot was not declared as part of his assets before the court.
"[Former Fishcor board chairman James] Hatuikulipi instructed to pay for Plot 51. I did not give that instruction. I do not know why he gave that instruction. I was totally shocked when I found out about it," Esau testified.
‘Not me’
Esau also yesterday denied that he contributed to the mass redundancies in the fishing sector after Beukes argued that there were rumours that the former minister and his alleged corruption were the reason for this phenomenon.
Esau added that the current minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, recently said on a public platform that mass redundancies in the sector were the result of strikes.
Level playing field
Esau also told Judge David Munsu that he will be able to take better care of his health if he is granted bail. He also referred to recent financial hurdles that hinder his chances of legal representation.
Earlier this year, Richard Metcalfe withdrew as the former minister’s legal representative due to non-payment.
Metcalfe's partner, Beukes, told Munsu in February that he would represent Esau in his bail application as a sign of good faith. However, Beukes has already indicated that he will not represent Esau in the main Fishrot trial - which is expected to begin in October.
Esau testified that he would be able to use his livestock and land assets to raise the necessary funds to afford a legal representative.
"I need senior representation. The State is represented by seniors. I'm looking for a level playing field.”
He indicated that he would be able to pay N$200 000 for bail.
A joint bail application by Fishrot defendants Nigel van Wyk and Esau will resume on 22 May after Esau testified yesterday that he did not give instructions for alleged underhand transactions.
"I never suspected anything. I never did the due diligence or confirmations. The minister's office did not have the capacity," he testified.
He denied that he had given the order for payments to the ruling party Swapo, for among other things, "governmental objectives" and a gala dinner held in Rosh Pinah.
Esau also denied ordering a payment of N$200 000 from Fishcor to DHC Inc - a firm belonging to Fishrot accused Marén de Klerk, a justice fugitive thought to be hiding in South Africa.
‘Donation for campaign’
The former fisheries minister and his legal representative, Florian Beukes, also brought an email as evidence before the court.
This email is believed to be written by Nghipunya and instructs that a payment be made to the Swapo Party. It was sent with the subject line "donation for campaign".
Esau opposed Nghipunya's testimony during his own failed bail application, during which he pointed fingers at the disgraced former minister. Nghipunya reportedly testified that Esau ordered these payments.
"My co-accused used my name for their own benefit... Certainly, he [Nghipunya] used my name," he said.
Esau also testified about a plot near Otjiwarongo that was apparently bought for him by Fishcor. He explained that he mentioned to De Klerk that he wanted to buy the plot and made an offer, but that he never received a response from the lawyer. He said this is why the plot was not declared as part of his assets before the court.
"[Former Fishcor board chairman James] Hatuikulipi instructed to pay for Plot 51. I did not give that instruction. I do not know why he gave that instruction. I was totally shocked when I found out about it," Esau testified.
‘Not me’
Esau also yesterday denied that he contributed to the mass redundancies in the fishing sector after Beukes argued that there were rumours that the former minister and his alleged corruption were the reason for this phenomenon.
Esau added that the current minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, recently said on a public platform that mass redundancies in the sector were the result of strikes.
Level playing field
Esau also told Judge David Munsu that he will be able to take better care of his health if he is granted bail. He also referred to recent financial hurdles that hinder his chances of legal representation.
Earlier this year, Richard Metcalfe withdrew as the former minister’s legal representative due to non-payment.
Metcalfe's partner, Beukes, told Munsu in February that he would represent Esau in his bail application as a sign of good faith. However, Beukes has already indicated that he will not represent Esau in the main Fishrot trial - which is expected to begin in October.
Esau testified that he would be able to use his livestock and land assets to raise the necessary funds to afford a legal representative.
"I need senior representation. The State is represented by seniors. I'm looking for a level playing field.”
He indicated that he would be able to pay N$200 000 for bail.
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