Magistrate Duard Kesslau said that former fisheries minister Bernard Esau and businessman Tamson Hatuikulipi, refusing to testify publicly, has left more questions than answers.
The Fishrot duo was denied bail in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court this morning.
According to Kesslau, the court was not satisfied with them refusing to testify publicly for their plea for bail.
The magistrate also said that the arguments for bail through affidavits was not sufficient enough and he is of the opinion that the duo has a very strong case to answer.
Kesslau also said that most of the payments and transactions made to the accused seemed to have been orchestrated by Esau as the fisheries minister.
The magistrate further argued that taking into consideration the public interest in this matter, the court cannot be seen to be taking white-collar crimes lightly as the plundering of national resources is not fair to all Namibians.
“The issue of public interest and the fact that there have been several demonstrations even at this court shows that this is a matter of high concern,” the magistrate said.
The duo was back in court yesterday for final oral submissions and the magistrate.
