DISMISSED: High Court Judge Moses Chinhengo has dismissed a change of venue application filed by Fishrot accused former Minister of Justice Sacky Shanghala, businessmen James Hatuikulipi and Ricardo Gustavo, as well as Pius Mwatelulo. The accused had challenged the holding of the Fishrot trial in the High Court prison building in the Otjozondjupa courtroom, arguing that its current state violated their right to dignity and impeded their right to a fair trial due to structural issues. In addition, the judge dismissed an application by Shanghala and the three others to postpone the Separation of Trial application pending the outcome of a court case in which the accused challenged the constitutionality of Judge Chinhengo’s appointment. The judge further said that the Separation of Trial application and the main Fishrot trial would continue to be heard, as the Supreme Court, in a previous judgment, would not have ignored the challenge to his appointment if it were a valid issue. Full story to follow.
