FISHROT TRIAL — 13 April 2026

Appeal hearing in the recusal application brought by Fishrot accused Sacky Shanghala against Judge Marelise du Plessis. Shangala, together with co-accused James Hatuikulipi and Mike Nghipunya, wants Judge Du Plessis to recuse herself from hearing and presiding over the matter. The applicants also requested that the criminal case be postponed until another judge is allocated. Shanghala, Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Bernardt Esau, Ricardo Gustavo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Nghipunya, Otneel Shuudifonya, Phillipus Mwapopi, and Nigel van Wyk are charged with corruptly receiving payments of at least N$300 million to give the Icelandic fishing company Samherji a competitive advantage in securing access to horse mackerel quotas in Namibia. The accused face 42 counts, including racketeering, contravening the Anti-Corruption Act, conspiracy, corruptly using an office to receive gratification, fraud, theft, money laundering, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.