Fishcor partner rejects divorce

BUSINESSMAN Adriaan (‘AJ’) Louw says he rejected the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia’s proposal to terminate a partnership criticised by the High Court as parasitic.

Louw made these remarks last week when asked about the government’s decision to divorce the scandal-hit Seaflower Pelagic Processing, which is 40% state owned.

“The matter is sub judice, but I can confirm that we have rejected the repudiation and have put Fishcor to terms,” he said.

The millionaire had an interview with The Namibian on wide-ranging issues such as his partnership, alleged Fishrot links and his relationship with lawyer Marén de Klerk.

He believes previous media reports were unfair to his business, which has been rocked by the Fishrot scandal.

There has been a blame game in the Seaflower Pelagic Processing partnership saga. Fishcor has indicated it wants to end the tainted joint venture.

It is questioning the validity of three agreements with Louw, who said the partnership started two years ago.

But Louw is pointing fingers at Fishcor, accusing the state-owned company of failing to provide 94 000 tonnes of horse mackerel quotas worth an estimated N$250 million.

During the interview last week, Louw also spoke about Celax Investment Number One, a shareholder in a Seaflower Pelagic Processing-related company which is now accused of money laundering in the Fishrot scandal.

The same Celax Investment was allegedly used to fund Swapo election campaigns through food, phones, accomodation and financing youth leaders.

Louw said De Klerk, accused of facilitating a bribery scheme worth more than N$200 million through Celax Investment, should answer for his own alleged sins.

Louw insisted the partnership with the state-owned Fishcor was not part of the Fishrot scandal.

“Seaflower Pelagic Processing is not involved in money laundering or involved in any court case. We are not aware of any investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and have not been approached by them. We have publicly stated that we will assist in any investigation,” the businessman said.

Louw also denied suggestions that he used his private jet to fly around former minister of fisheries and marine resources Bernhard Esau and former Investec Asset Management Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi.

Three years ago, Louw appeared to have hit the jackpot.

The partnership was rubber-stamped in 2017, around a month after Hatuikulipi travelled to Angola to view fishing factories owned by Louw’s companies.

Later, former fisheries minister Esau promised the partnership 50 000 tonnes of free horse mackerel fishing quotas for 15 years. The agreement allowed for an extra 15 years of free quotas.

That joint venture raised eyebrows in the industry.

Some accused Louw of piggybacking on government money to bankroll the fishing factory he appears to want to fully take charge of if the partnership is terminated.

Estimates by The Namibian show the fish would be worth around N$20 billion in 30 years – calculations disputed by Louw.

The government decided to end that partnership earlier this year after several reports linked potential money laundering to a company called Celax Investments Number One.

Celax, previously owned by lawyer Marén de Klerk, had a 33% stake in Louw’s African Selection Fishing Namibia, which owns 60% of the joint venture with Fishcor.

Fishcor wrote to Louw on 25 September 2020, notifying him that they intend to terminate their agreements with Africa Selection Fishing Namibia.

“I hereby notify you that the board of Fishcor resolved to terminate the joint venture agreements with immediate effect,” Fishcor’s board chairperson Mihe Goamab II said.

He said the Fishcor agreement that promised Louw’s company 15 years of free quotas is also terminated.

“In the interest of Fishcor, the board has resolved that it must make a clean break from its association with Seaflower [Pelagic],” he said.

He said the agreements between Louw and the previous Fishcor board were tainted.

“Not only were the relevant agreements entered into between minister Esau and James Hatuikulipi apparently part of a corruption enterprise, but the agreements are also tainted by the corrupt network framework,” Goamab II said.