By: Justicia Shipena
Wrapping his cross-examination with South African advocate Vas Soni, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator Andreas Kanyangela says there are fewer than 20 witnesses that might take longer to testify for the fishrot trial.
This comes as former justice minister and fishrot accused Sacky Shangahala claim that the trial will be lengthy.
According to him, the length of the trial depends on the circumstances in which the case is handled.
“Although the two cases have a lot of witnesses, there are few witnesses who may stand in the witness box for a longer period while others are just witnessing confirming the payments made to them,” he said.
He added that some would be confirming the services they rendered to the accused and, therefore, will not take much time.
“They will not take up much time on the stand, which can shorten the trial,” he said.
Kanyangela is on the witness stand for the ninth day in the bail application by six of the men charged in the fishrot fraud and corruption scandal.
Kanyangela said he believes that the trial will be short.
“I don’t see it is taking a long time,” he expressed.
However, Soni then argued that he does not know what a fair trial means.
“Because I have indicated to you the manner in which you have done your investigations, I’m suggesting that no reliance can be placed on the factors you give for suggesting that this will be a short trail,” said Soni.
Soni thus said that Kanyangela indicated that there are nearly 50 arched files of documents and numerous sets of legal representations involved, making it likely to take long.
“The accused are entitled to defend themselves as provided in the constitution,” he stressed.
The application is heard before High Court judge Shafimana Ueitele in the Windhoek High Court.
Former National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) boss, Mike Nghipunya’s lawyer says their view on the allocation Of government objective fishing quotas stands that the cabinet has to decide on the entity’s designation.
Thabang Phatela said during the commencement of his cross-examination with Kanyangela on Tuesday while representing Nghipunya.
“Section two of the marine act shows that there are powers that the minister of fisheries is given,” said Phatela.
Phatela said that section 3 (4) of the act indicates that the minister is given certain powers.
“The monster here is empowered to enter into designation agreements approved by the cabinet,” he said.
He added Fishcor was a designated entity by the cabinet.
Nghipunya testified that the former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau allocated the quotas for governmental objectives.
“We received orders from minister Bernard Esau that we must implement it and call it govt objectives for sensitivity.”
While in his testimony, Nghipunya had told the court that the directive to pay Swapo’s N$44 million horse mackerel fishing quota to Sisa Namandje & Co.Inc and De Klerk, Horn & Coetzee law firms was communicated to him via Hatuikulipi.
Nghipunya also told the court that Fishcor is not accountable for the money paid to Sisa Namandje and De Klerk Horn and Coetzee law firms.
During the hearing, Nghipunya indicated that N$10.3 million was paid to Fine Foods Investment Trust.
He also testified that there was never an agreement between Saga Seafood.
The matter continues tomorrow at 10h00.