ICELANDIC fishing company Samherji says its management never intended for any subsidiary to engage in wrongful activity, including bribery or money laundering, to achieve benefits in Namibia.
This is despite allegations that key management figures of Samherji were involved in commissioning employees to bribe Namibian public officials to get, among other things, fishing quotas.
In a statement placed on Samherji’s website on Wednesday, the company said its internal investigations about the matter have been finalised, but did not state what the findings were.
The company said it had mandated Norwegian law firm Wikborg Rein to investigate allegations levelled against it last year when the Fishrot corruption scandal came to light.
“After eight months of work Wikborg Rein has submitted a comprehensive report substantiating the factual conclusions,” said Samherji.
It also said several meetings have been held with the Namibian authorities in an effort to explore the basis for similar cooperation and thereafter the findings would be made public.
“Samherji firmly denies that its management ever intended for any subsidiary to engage in wrongful activity, including bribery or money laundering, in order to achieve benefits and will rigorously rebut any further allegation to this effect,” reads the statement.
Subsidiaries of the company are accused of paying kickbacks to Namibian businessmen and politicians so that the companies could get access to Namibian fishing quotas. Those said to have benefited include former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau and ex-minister of justice Sacky Shanghala, who have been in jail since their arrest near the end of November last year.
– email: lazarus@namibian.com.na
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
