Geingob accepts Esau, Shanghala resignations

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has accepted the resignations of disgraced fisheries minister Bernhard Esau and justice minister Sacky Shanghala.

Their resignations come after and other international media organizations exposed how the two ministers and Investec Namibia’s managing director, James Hatuikulipi, were implicated as kingpins in a fishing scheme that generated kickbacks of at least N$150 million over four years.

Shanghala will be replaced Frans Kapofi in an acting capacity while Abert kawana at fisheries ministries.

“Understanding the severity of the allegations in the press, the fisheries and marine resources minister, Bernard Esau and the minister of justice Sakeus Edward Shanghala have tendered their resignations to the president with immediate effect,” State House spokesperson Alfredo Hengari.

“Following press and media reports in which the allegations of corruption have been made against the two ministers, the president, accompanied bu the vice president, Nangolo Mbumba held a meeting today at State House with Sackeus Shanghala and and Bernard Esau to hear their case in the light of the gravity of the reports,” he said.

Their resignations comes after The Namibian and other international media exposed how the two and Investec Namibia’s managing director, James Hatuikulipi, were alleged kingpins in a fishing scheme that generated kickbacks of at least N$150 million over four years.

Documents show that their fishing schemes could involve as much as N$2,5 billion.

understands that president Geingob told his inner circle earlier this month that Esau and Shanghala should “do the right thing and resign”.

Geingob was briefed on this scandal earlier this year, including by the prosecutor general Martha Imalwa on allegations that his two ministers were implicated in fraud.

WikiLeaks documents pinpointed Esau, Shanghala and Hatuikulipi as masterminds of a Namibian fishing licence donated to the Angolan government which ended up benefiting a few individuals.

Meanwhile, Investec issued a statement on Twitter saying it has “noted the reporting in the media. Until the Namibian authorities have communicated formally on this issue, we are not in a position to respond to media speculation. We are investigating the matter and will cooperate with the authorities, as we always do”.

*This publication partnership included The Namibian’s investigative unit, WikiLeaks, Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV), Al Jazeera and the Icleandic daily newspaper Stundin.