Mwapopi offers N$62 000 for bail
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Former City Police officer Phillipus Mwapopi told the High Court that he would never dare to interfere with the investigations into the so-called Fishrot case should he be granted bail; in fact, he would run to report to the Otjomuise police station.
The bail hearing of Mwapopi, along with his co-accused - former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former chairman of the Fishcor board James Hatuikulipi, businessman and deputy director at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council Otneel Shuudifonya, and Pius Mwatelulo - started this month.
Mwapopi informed the court that the likelihood of his family being evicted from their home by the bank since he is incarcerated and unable to earn a living, is high and they may have to find shelter in ‘trailers’ with neighbours or friends.
Mwapopi said he would borrow money to pay bail of N$62 000 and promised to be at the court once the trial starts.
“I have handed in my passport, so to get out of Namibia is not possible and I will not attempt to do that. I have no reason to do that,” he said.
He also pointed out that it would be impossible for him to interfere with police investigations as he was informed the investigation was completed.
Mwapopi has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, fraud, corruption, conspiring with his co-accused, fraud, money laundering and theft.
He also vehemently denied the State’s claims that Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya had a stake in his company, Wanakadu Investments.
He did admit that they had an agreement under which Wanakadu would supply Fishcor with dried fish for its drought-relief project.
There are claims that Mwapopi’s Wanakadu Investments received N$4.2 million from Fishcor for the supply of dried fish for drought relief.
However, he could not confirm whether the dried fish was indeed delivered, although a delivery note exists.
“The delivery note was delivered back to me signed by Fishcor,” he said.
Coerced
Mwapopi told the court that the Anti-Corruption Commission investigator Willem Olivier contacted him in June 2020 about payments he had received from Fishcor.
He reportedly visited Olivier at his ACC office in July where they had a ‘friendly’ discussion about the payments.
However, according to M,wapopi when he went back to the ACC in September 2020, Olivier was hostile, angry, and not satisfied with the statement he gave.
Mwapopi also claims that the was told his statement would never be used against him in court.
“I was telling him my story and he didn’t want to believe my story and he wanted me to give another story. I told him, ‘Sir, I have a weakness and that is that I am always honest’,” he testified.
Judge Shafimana Ueitele on Friday postponed the bail hearing until next year January.
Cross-examination of Philipus Mwapopi will start on 24 January.
The accused remain in custody.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Former City Police officer Phillipus Mwapopi told the High Court that he would never dare to interfere with the investigations into the so-called Fishrot case should he be granted bail; in fact, he would run to report to the Otjomuise police station.
The bail hearing of Mwapopi, along with his co-accused - former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former chairman of the Fishcor board James Hatuikulipi, businessman and deputy director at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council Otneel Shuudifonya, and Pius Mwatelulo - started this month.
Mwapopi informed the court that the likelihood of his family being evicted from their home by the bank since he is incarcerated and unable to earn a living, is high and they may have to find shelter in ‘trailers’ with neighbours or friends.
Mwapopi said he would borrow money to pay bail of N$62 000 and promised to be at the court once the trial starts.
“I have handed in my passport, so to get out of Namibia is not possible and I will not attempt to do that. I have no reason to do that,” he said.
He also pointed out that it would be impossible for him to interfere with police investigations as he was informed the investigation was completed.
Mwapopi has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, fraud, corruption, conspiring with his co-accused, fraud, money laundering and theft.
He also vehemently denied the State’s claims that Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya had a stake in his company, Wanakadu Investments.
He did admit that they had an agreement under which Wanakadu would supply Fishcor with dried fish for its drought-relief project.
There are claims that Mwapopi’s Wanakadu Investments received N$4.2 million from Fishcor for the supply of dried fish for drought relief.
However, he could not confirm whether the dried fish was indeed delivered, although a delivery note exists.
“The delivery note was delivered back to me signed by Fishcor,” he said.
Coerced
Mwapopi told the court that the Anti-Corruption Commission investigator Willem Olivier contacted him in June 2020 about payments he had received from Fishcor.
He reportedly visited Olivier at his ACC office in July where they had a ‘friendly’ discussion about the payments.
However, according to M,wapopi when he went back to the ACC in September 2020, Olivier was hostile, angry, and not satisfied with the statement he gave.
Mwapopi also claims that the was told his statement would never be used against him in court.
“I was telling him my story and he didn’t want to believe my story and he wanted me to give another story. I told him, ‘Sir, I have a weakness and that is that I am always honest’,” he testified.
Judge Shafimana Ueitele on Friday postponed the bail hearing until next year January.
Cross-examination of Philipus Mwapopi will start on 24 January.
The accused remain in custody.
[email protected]
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