Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Fishrot accused Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi and his wife, daughter of Bernhard Esau, Ndapandula Hatuikulipi have been dragged to court for failing to pay a supplier N$ 646 188.70 for building equipment they had leased.
L.I.T Construction Supplies and Formwork CC (L.I.T) is claiming that in early November 2019, the supplier and the couple entered into a written lease agreement for building supplies.
According to the agreement, L.I.T would supply building equipment for the construction of Erf 717, Ganas Street in the leafy suburb of Ausblick.
In addition, the supply company is also citing JTH Trading as respondents. The company was also being investigated by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) in connection with the Fishrot scandal.
However, earlier in April the parties resolved the matter and both agreed to a settlement agreement.
The latest status report indicates that the parties are to deliver a signed and stamped settlement agreement on or before 30 June 2023 at 15h00.
Judge Collins Parker is presiding.
Hatuikulipi is a shareholder and director of JTH.
According to him, N$27 million was paid into the account of JTH Trading between 2016 and December 2017 by Mermaria Seafoods and N$20 million between March 2018 and September 2019 for consultancy work he did for Icelandic fishing company, Samherji.
Samherji, reportedly secured access to horse mackerel quotas in Namibia by paying bribes of around N$150 million to politicians and businessmen between 2012 and 2018.
Hatuikulipi, together with his father-in-law and former Minister of Fisheries Esau, Ricardo Gustavo, former Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala, former Fishcor Board Chairperson James Hatuikulipi who is also his cousin, former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya, Pius Mwatelulo, Otneel Shuudifonya, Phillipus Mwapopi and Nigel van Wyk, are facing more than 40 counts including racketeering, contravening the Anti-Corruption Act, conspiracy, corruptly using an office to receive gratification, fraud, theft and money-laundering, as well as defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
In December last year Tamson, his wife and JTH gave notice to defend the case.
Trevor Brockerhoff is representing L.I.T whereas Roberto Avila is representing Hatuikulipi, his wife and JTH.
The matter will return to court on 05 July 2023.
