Stefanus Nashama
The former Minster of Fisheries and Marine Resources and first accused in the Fishrot corruption scandal, Bernhardt Esau said his name was used by his co-accused, Mike Nghipunya, the former Fishcor Chief Executive Officer, for the distribution and selling of fishing quotas.
Esau testified before Judge David Munsu in the Windhoek High Court yesterday, on the third day of his formal bail application. “My name was used to facilitate instruction for payment to Sisa Namandje. My name was also used to facilitate instruction to pay Maren de Klerk, and today I stand accused of things I never knew or where the money was going. My name is now in the media as the most corrupt person,” Esau stated in court.
The former Minister also stated that Nghipunya redirected funds meant for Governmental Objectives for his own benefit by using his name.
Esau, who is seriously concerned about his health condition, explained that he wants to defend himself with the aid of a Senior Counsel, but he needs to mobilize funds for the trial. To do this, he said he needs to be granted bail. The former Minister stated that if bail is granted to him, he would always avail himself for court appearances because his case is in the interest of the public. Esau said his family, properties, money, doctors and everything else is in Namibia, and therefore he will not travel anywhere if given bail.
“My Lord, I have already surrendered my passport, I will always appear and report myself to Court. Trust me, my Lord,” he implored the presiding Judge.
Esau stated that he is willing to pay an amount of N$200 000 to be freed on bail. It is further his testimony that if the proposed bail amount is higher, his family would mobilize funds to pay the bail. “The loss of Fishermen’s jobs and strikes were not caused by the Fishrot but by the demand for better
Judge Munsu has since announced that the date for the continuation of their bail applications will be communicated at a later stage.
