One Country, Two Roads - What Corruption Scandals Reveal About Success and Integrity [Namibian] In a nation still processing the aftershocks of the Fishrot scandal, Namibia finds itself staring down yet another storm - allegations of corruption at Namcor and a protracted High Court fight between the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) and Enercon over more than N$28 million in unpaid loans.

#Namibia #Corruption #FishrotScandal #Integrity #Success

Fishermen say GRN inaction causing mental distress Justicia Shipena Former employees of Namsov and Heinaste say they are suffering mental, emotional and physical distress due to the government’s failure to resolve their back pay. The fishermen, supported by the Mining, Metal, Maritime and Construction Workers Union (MMMCWU), have threatened to approach the Office of the President and take legal action if their demands are not met by Friday. The group, which is part of the government’s redress programme following the Fishrot scandal, travelled from Walvis Bay to Windhoek and protested outside Government Park on Tuesday. They are demanding that fishing quotas be reallocated to Blue Chromis PTY Ltd, a company they say offers fair and stable employment. “We stand here not in protest, but in determined pursuit of justice and dignity for Namibian workers,” said MMMCWU secretary general Joseph Garoeb during the handover of the petition to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. Garoeb said the affected workers have been on “no work, no pay” contracts since December 2022. He claimed that millions worth of quotas have been allocated to companies with no proven capacity, while workers continue to suffer. The union is calling for the immediate reallocation of quotas from Hangana Sea Food, Merlus Fishing, Iyaloo Women Investment, and Novanam Fishing to Blue Chromis PTY Ltd. Garoeb said the company has emerged as the workers’ preferred employer over the past five months due to its offer of permanent contracts, a take-home salary of N$8,400, housing allowances, pension, and a share-based fish commission. “This proposal reflects the kind of dignified employment workers deserve,” said Garoeb. He said the offer from Blue Chromis has already led other companies to revise their own conditions. The union further claims the current quota allocation process violated the designation agreement, as quotas were issued before employment contracts were signed. Workers reportedly earn as little as N$1,200 to N$2,000 per month, while quotas are valued at up to N$700,000. Garoeb accused civil servants responsible for the redress programme of failing to uphold accountability and showing arrogance toward the affected workers. He also called for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry, including representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Namibian Police, labour experts, and worker representatives, to investigate irregularities in the quota allocation process. “Laws and policies have been ignored, while some unions with quota ownership have conflicted interests, further worsening the suffering of workers,” said Garoeb. According to the petition, the fisheries minister gave assurances on 18 May 2025 that the matter would be resolved politically or socially. However, the fishermen say no tangible action has followed. “We request that future allocations be made with proper engagement and formal employment agreements that honour the workers’ choice of employer,” the petition reads. David Sheehama, one of the fishermen affected, said he is unable to support his family. “I am suffering. I cannot even express it. I want my back pay to help my child further her studies,” he told the Windhoek Observer. Executive director in the ministry of fisheries, Teofelus Nghitila, received the petition on behalf of the minister. “The ministry will continue to engage with you as it has been the case. We really are committed to resolve the issue. I met with you two times and we are addressing one matter at a time. As we speak, most of the employees are now back to work. This back pay is a new matter which you had forwarded to our office and it is receiving attention from the ministry,” he said. Nghitila said the ministry’s engagement with the workers has been constructive and expressed confidence in reaching a solution. This week’s protest follows a similar demonstration four months ago by around 400 former employees of Heinaste and Namsov 73, who had gone without pay for three months. They had refused to sign contracts with the companies allocated to them under the redress programme.

#Fishermen #MentalHealth #JusticeForWorkers #FishrotScandal #NamibianWorkers

Iceland concludes Samherji fishrot investigation Iceland concludes Samherji fishrot investigation NBC Online Wed, 07/02/2025 - 19:28

#Iceland #Samherji #FishrotScandal #Corruption #FishingIndustry

London court hears appeal over fishrot-inspired art case Justicia Shipena  A legal battle over the limits of artistic freedom and corporate accountability is underway at the High Court of Justice in London, where Icelandic artist Odee Friðriksson is appealing a ruling in favour of the Icelandic fishing giant Samherji.  The hearing, which began on Wednesday and will end on Friday, deals with concerns about Friðriksson’s conceptual art piece We’re Sorry, which draws directly from the Fishrot Files corruption scandal that implicated Samherji in Namibia. The court is conducting a rolled-up appeal, which means it will first consider whether to grant permission to appeal and, if so, proceed immediately with the full appeal.  This is after the ruling issued in November 2024 found We’re Sorry to be an act of passing off, malicious falsehood, and copyright infringement.  Samherji has since dropped its trademark infringement claim. The case is open to the public. Friðriksson, known professionally as ODEE, maintains that his work is a satirical performance rooted in public interest.  “We’re Sorry” is a satirical protest in the public interest. This appeal challenges the court’s decision that imposes disproportionate restrictions on artistic and political expression.” The artwork includes a fictional apology, a website, and a mural exhibited at the Reykjavík Art Museum.  It critiques Samherji’s alleged actions in securing Namibian fishing quotas through bribery, as revealed in the 2019 fishrot files.  Whistleblower Jóhannes Stefánsson leaked these files via WikiLeaks, leading to criminal charges in Namibia and the indictment of ten suspects.  Nine, including former ministers of fisheries and justice, remain jailed awaiting trial. In Iceland, Samherji faces ongoing criminal investigations, with a trial expected in 2026. The case has drawn wide international support.  A coalition of over 25 organisations, including Transparency International EU, the Institute for Public Policy Research in Namibia, Free Press Unlimited, and The Whistleblower House in South Africa, has endorsed ODEE and Stefánsson.  These groups, which advocate for whistleblower protection, artistic freedom, and transparency, argue that both men deserve legal protection. “Freedom of expression links public interest whistleblowers and artists—individuals who should be protected by law from the powerful who wish to stop them speaking up,” the coalition stated. They emphasise that exposing wrongdoing and stimulating ethical public debate through satire, or conceptual art, is essential in democratic societies.  “Artistic freedom of expression, through film, theatre, painting or conceptual art, which uses satire and modern technology to critically shine a light on issues that matter… is essential for a healthy democracy.” Friðriksson argues that this case will determine whether those who challenge powerful institutions on behalf of affected communities, such as those in Namibia, can be silenced through litigation.  “This case will determine whether those who expose corporate abuse, especially in defence of communities like those in Namibia who bear its costs, can be silenced through legal action by the very actors they critique.”  The outcome of the hearing is expected to influence global discussions on the boundaries of protest art, whistleblower protection, and the right to critique corporate conduct through creative expression.

#LondonCourt #ArtisticFreedom #FishrotScandal #OdeeFridriksson #CorporateAccountability

Former minister Shiimi says auction off more fishing quotas to boost revenue, fix past fishrot abuses Former minister of finance Iipumbu Shiimi has urged the government to increase its auctioned fishing quotas, following a revenue of N$944 million generated over the past four years. Shiimi said this in an opinion piece published in The Namibian’s fishing supplement today – specifically about what is known as ‘government objective’ quotas. These quotas were allegedly used as a conduit by the former fisheries minister Bernhard Esau, ex-attorney general Sacky Shanghala, and former Investec Asset Management Namibia boss James Hatuikulipi to allegedly divert over N$300 million from the state to themselves or friends. In 2017, Esau allocated N$44 million from the same government objective quota to Swapo through the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor). The Fishrot scandal forced the government to review the government objective quota by selling it to an open market, instead of the previous regime where it dished out hand-picked companies close to the former fisheries minister. Shiimi admitted that the quota was potentially previously abused, but said reforms made in 2021 involving selling the quota to the market earned the state money for government health and social welfare programmes. “First, increasing the quantity of the (government objective) quota as this helps to improve the benefits that Namibians derive from this natural resource,” he said. Shiimi said fishing quota levies are relatively low compared to the price the industry should have paid at the auction. He cited an example of a government objective quota auction in 2021 which fetched the state’s coffers N$567 million. This, he said, was “despite the auctioned quota being under 10% of the total allowable catch (TAC)”. In contrast, Shiimi said, fishing levies from the other 90% of the TAC generated N$237 million only. The auction netted the government N$106.6 million in 2025 so far. Last year, the government generated N$44.44 million, while it generated N$110.19 million in 2023 and N$116.55 million in 2022. The amount varies depending on how many times a year the government conducts the auction process. The former minister said the government has also formulated a policy to guide the use of the proceeds from the government objective fish quota, which was approved by the Cabinet in 2024. “The policy identified priority sectors that should benefit. They include education, health, housing and veterans,” he said. In 2020, the Cabinet directed the Ministry of Finance to work with the then Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to auction off the government objective fish quota. The initial auction failed. Most bidders were speculators who could not pay, and major fishing firms stayed away due to unfamiliar upfront payments. Shiimi admitted the flaws and said the government went “back to the drawing board”. In 2021, the rules were revised: Deposits and financial guarantees became mandatory, and auctions were held earlier in the fishing season. “The government consulted De Beers and an Oxford University professor on auction design,” Shiimi said. PROTECTING THE TURF Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations chairperson Matti Amukwa yesterday told The Namibian that the auctions are not only legally questionable, but are also distorting the industry. “The Marine Resources Act is very clear on the provision made on government objectives. “You can’t, for example, say you are auctioning quotas to build a classroom, because that function is already within the education ministry. “The purpose of auctioning quotas is for emergency outbreaks only. Instead of this being a random situation under emergencies, it has become routine, which doesn’t even benefit Namibians.” Amukwa said it created a “parallel quota industry”. He warned that the government, by becoming the largest quota holder without employment or value addition obligations, was creating an industry that doesn’t follow rules. This, he said, allowed some operators to function outside the commitments placed on right holders. “Namibian fisheries may be shifting from rights-based long-term management to open-for-all short-term management. This was already leading to job losses and reduced value addition.” Amukwa said the auctioning off of fishing quotas to the highest bidder is not provided for in the act, and does not maximise value for the nation. “. . . and is discouraging Namibianisation. Quotas sold at high prices at auctions do not reflect their real economic value when applied under national development principles.” TROUBLESOME MINISTRY The Fishrot-hit industry has over the years faced allegations of enriching Namibia’s ruling elite. Former agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein has warned that the industry should be saved before it’s too late. In another opinion piece published in The Namibian’s fishing supplement today, the former minister says the sector needs reforms. “The fishing sector has demonstrated a lack of fiscal responsibility, and many of its players have foreign offshore headquarters located in tax havens,” he says. According to him, “iIllegal outflows, tax avoidance schemes, transfer pricing, and other tax evasion measures deny the Namibian authorities their fair revenue from the sector”. Schlettwein says these circumstances necessitate a comprehensive review of the fishing sector. “While the government adopted a balanced approach between conservation and economic vitality at independence, these positive trends have been eroded over time and the amended policies and regulations are now detrimental to Namibia’s economy,” he says. The former minister believes the introduction of a new arrangement of portfolios, placing the fishing sector together with agriculture, water, and land reform, will not address the challenges of declining fish stocks, stagnation in growth, continued dependence on foreign entities for marketing and distribution, low tax revenue, and an opaque quota system. As a result of the long-standing abuse of both pelagic and white fish resources, Schlettwein says Namibia’s fishery sector has faced significant regression. “Some stocks were depleted, necessitating a decade of conservation before they could be sustainably exploited.” Consequently, Schlettwein says, the government’s policy just after independence prioritised the viability of the fisheries sector, while simultaneously maximising its potential and improving access for Namibians. “However, economic pressures arising from an over-capacitated and over-capitalised fishing sector, coupled with political pressure to enhance access to the sector, are overriding scientific stock assessments and are potential causes for stock depletion,” he says. PILLAR OF ECONOMY Current minister of agriculture, fisheries, water, and land reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi acknowledges the tensions but reaffirms the ministry’s commitment to sustainability and transparency. She pledges to fight illegal fishing, boost local ownership of vessels, expand value addition, and strengthen policy. “Quota allocation will be conducted with the utmost transparency and accountability, firmly anchored in our Namibianisation policy,” she says. Zaamwani-Kamwi says the sector contributed 4% to gross domestic product in 2024, down from 4.6% in 2023 due to total allowable catch reductions, but still earned N$13.8 billion in exports and supported over 19 440 jobs, with 71% of those onshore. She says 98% of the 465 fishing rights holders were 100% Namibian-owned. “Aquaculture produced 700 000 tonnes of fish and employed 509 people in 2024, with investment interest in seaweed, salmon, and abalone ventures around Lüderitz.” The ministry is also reviewing the Marine Resources Act and hake management plan while developing strategies for other key species. “Our vision is a holistic blue economy that improves livelihoods while ensuring long-term sustainability,” she says. LICENSING AND JOB LOSSES Amukwa also raised alarm over delayed vessel licensing that lead to job losses. “All fishing processes start with vessel licensing. Without that, no catches take place . . . the industry literally comes to a standstill,” he said. Amukwa said licensing delays disrupt raw material flow to processing plants, leave freezer trawlers idle, and lead to workers being sent home on short-time. “The losses incurred by processing plants standing still are substantial,” he said. Amukwa also questioned the ongoing fishing by selected commercial vessels in the 200m isobar under the guise of research. “We all know this is a breeding ground which we don’t need to tamper with,” he said. He demanded clarity on the selection criteria, findings, and reasons for the extension of such operations. He further raised concern over illegal fishing in Namibian waters. “The fish caught illegally in our waters compete in the same markets and exert downward pressure on prices.” Amukwa said the industry stands ready to work with the ministry, but called for fair treatment. “All rights holders are equal before the law. Preferential treatment creates unnecessary tension.” *Read the opinion pieces of Zaamwani-Kamwi, Shiimi and Schlettwein in today’s fishing supplement. The post Former minister Shiimi says auction off more fishing quotas to boost revenue, fix past fishrot abuses appeared first on The Namibian.

#FishingQuotas #FishrotScandal #Namibia #IipumbuShiimi #RevenueGeneration

‘Fishrot case ideal for international court’ – Advocates Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Calls for an international anti-corruption court have grown stronger, with advocates pointing to the Fishrot scandal as a clear example of why such a court is needed to handle large-scale corruption across borders. Frederico Links’ report, A Perfect Case for an International Court, published in this year’s international edition of Good Governance Africa, highlights the limits of national courts in dealing with corruption that spans several countries. “The Fishrot case illustrates the limitations of national courts in prosecuting corruption involving multiple jurisdictions,” said Graham Hopwood, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).  He added that a case at the International Anti-Corruption Court (IACCourt) could raise the global profile of the Fishrot scandal and make sure all those responsible are held accountable, whether they are in Namibia, Iceland, or other countries that helped move illicit funds. Hopwood pointed to delays in investigations in Iceland, postponed trials in Namibia, and stalled extradition requests as evidence that domestic legal systems struggle to handle complex, large-scale corruption.  “Many of those who played a role in other jurisdictions will simply never be charged,” he said. Co-founder of the Botswana Centre for Public Integrity and coordinator of the IACCourt Africa sub-committee, Pusetso Morapedi, described the Fishrot scandal as an ideal case for the proposed court.  She noted that while Namibia plans to prosecute 10 individuals, Iceland has yet to make a single arrest.  Morapedi said national courts lack the jurisdiction needed to fully address corruption involving multiple countries. The Fishrot case, widely considered Namibia’s biggest corruption scandal, first came to light in November 2019, just weeks before the country’s general elections. The case has been in court for nearly five years. Evidence shows that between 2012 and 2019, former ministers Bernhard Esau and Sacky Shanghala, under the administration of then-president Hage Geingob, manipulated laws and regulations to allow the fishing company Samherji to enter Namibia’s horse mackerel sector.  This happened at the expense of local fishing businesses, which collapsed, causing job losses and the closure of processing plants. In response, the government launched the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP) in 2020 to help more than 2 000 fishermen affected by the scandal. In February this year, about 60 former fishermen gathered at Kuisebmond Park in Walvis Bay to express their frustration.  They claimed GERP had failed to provide meaningful jobs and that some people had used the program for personal gain. “Even though people don’t want us to speak the truth, this is the time that each and every Namibian has to hear what we have observed,” said Immanuel Petrus, chairperson of the affected fishermen. Two studies by the IPPR in 2023 and 2024 assessed the impact of Fishrot.  They found long-term economic and psychological harm, with many former fisheries workers pushed into poverty.  The studies also indicated that entire communities, especially in Walvis Bay, remain unstable economically. “The fishing industry was the one that brought life to this community. I can see what Fishrot did to Walvis Bay,” said Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes during the launch of the IPPR’s first study. The High Court trial for those accused in the Fishrot case is set to begin on 4 August.  The case will be overseen by Judge Moses Chinhengo, a Zimbabwean judge seconded to Namibia.

#FishrotScandal #AntiCorruption #InternationalCourt #CorruptionJustice #Accountability

Stop Governmental Corruption, Overhaul the Fishing Industry Namibian fishing licence holders are correct in urging the government to stop being both referee and player in the industry. However, these past masters at self-enrichment are yet again deliberately conflating the open bidding system with the corrupt ‘governmental objectives’ fish quotas programmes everybody knows was the monster that spawned the Fishrot corruption scandal. The two issues are separate and the rent-seeking Namibian licensees should not be allowed to mix state auctioning of the fishing quotas with how the government continues to misuse the so-called ‘governmental objectives’ quotas. The ‘governmental objectives’ fishing quotas was a scheme hatched by Fishrot accused Bernhard Esau, who was the minister in that portfolio, and co-accused Sacky Shanghala as law reform commissioner and, later, attorney general. Anyone now knows Esau and Shanghala are standing trial, accused of using that scheme to divert fishing quotas to companies that paid them bribes and punish the firms that refused to play their dubious game. A couple of weeks ago, the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations president Matti Amukwa complained: “This situation is creating a parallel quota industry, where vessel operators survive on auctioned or arbitrarily issued quotas, without working with rights holders or meeting any long-term employment obligations.” Amukwa is right that the government has created a parallel and self-defeating system that does not seem to focus on the best returns for Namibia and Namibians. Sadly, Amukwa and fellow Namibian licence holders are arguing for the end to auction (open bidding) and the continuation of the old, highly arbitrary, system by which the minister decides who will be given a fishing licence with the accompanying quotas every year. That so-called Namibianisation process led to politicians allocating licences to themselves, family members, relatives, favoured institutions and other cronies. A few thousand Namibians thus got super rich at the expense of the broader public. The income inequality became so bad that the ‘rights holders simply became rent-seekers who privately conducted auctions by ‘selling’ their arbitrary government-issued licences to the very foreigners they now accuse of out-competing Namibians in buying ‘governmental objectives’ fishing quotas. Through the system that resulted in the Fishrot scandal, Namibian beneficiaries of licences paid as little as N$50 million a year in levies to the tax coffers. By contrast, a small portion of the so-called ‘governmental objectives’ fishing quotas the government has auctioned since 2020 had raised more than N$1.2 billion by last year. Imagine how much money will flow into our national tax coffers to fund public needs if the government stops allocating itself fishing quotas which it still dishes out arbitrarily and rather designs a transparent bidding system for all quotas every year? Such a system should still require tangible benefits for Namibians, topped by job creation, skills development for better value addition, operational and management acumen – well ahead of the shareholding gimmicks the industry has seen over more than 30 years with only a few getting filthy rich while inequality and poverty have grown. It is understandable that Amukwa and company would want to continue lining their pockets. That is fine as long as it does not continue to be at the expense of the majority of Namibians, as has been the case. The government must end this Fishrot scheme and similar patronage systems based on taking the public’s resources and giving them to family, friends, supporters and political allies. This week, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, a former presidential adviser on international relations, as the minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform. Concerns have been raised in the past that fisheries – long plagued by allegations of corruption and elite capture – may be overshadowed within this mega economic ministry. Nonetheless, we hope Zaamwani-Kamwi prioritises long-overdue reforms in the fisheries sector for the greater good. The post Stop Governmental Corruption, Overhaul the Fishing Industry appeared first on The Namibian.

#StopCorruption #FishingIndustry #Namibia #GovernmentTransparency #FishrotScandal

Fishrot accused seek Judge Chinhengo’s removal Fishrot accused seek Judge Chinhengo’s removal NBC Online Wed, 04/02/2025 - 18:44

#FishrotScandal #JusticeSystem #MosesChinhengo #SackyShanghala #LegalNews