Staff Reporter
THE ongoing extradition case of Fishrot “paymaster” and lawyer Maren de Klerk is expected to continue on the 23rd of February 2024 after a request for postponement by the Magistrate court in South Africa. De Klerk, who was granted bail of R50 000 in June 2023 upon his arrest while reporting a separate matter to the South African police, is wanted by Namibian authorities for channelling about N$82 million derived from state fishing quotas through his law firm Horn and Coetzee Incorporated (DHC) and a shell company, Celax Investments, for which he was the sole director. The funds were diverted from these accounts to several entities, as well as some individuals who are now his co-accused.
Executive Director within the Ministry of Justice, Gladice Pickering, said that Namibia continues to work with the National Prosecuting Authority and Central Authority for Extradition in South Africa, and her ministry hopes for the extradition hearing to start on 23 February 2024.
Meanwhile, the plea trial of his co-accused, Sackeus Shangala (former minister of justice), Bernard Esau (former minister of fisheries), former FISHCOR board chairman James Hatuikulipi, ex-FISHCOR CEO Mike Nghipunya, Pius Mwatelula, Nigel van Wyk, Ricardo Gustavo, and Otniel Shuudifonya is postponed until 1 March 2024. The proceedings were halted until an application for the recusal of the presiding judge, Moses Chinhengo, has been heard and decided.
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