Staff Reporter
THE self-proclaimed whistleblower, Fishrot suspect and Namibian lawyer Marén de Klerk, is officially an international refugee from justice.
Namibia’s prosecutor general, Martha Imalwa, requested the extradition of De Klerk from South Africa to the Republic of Namibia to stand his trial alongside his co-accused in the Fishrot scandal on charges of theft, racketeering, money laundering and acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities.
This brings the Namibian and South African governments’ long overdue joint effort in securing his attendance of his trial closer to prospects of success.
De Klerk left Namibia for South Africa in January 2020, a few months after the arrest of his co-accused and has not returned since then.
The ministry of Justice in SA confirmed receipt of the request through a statement, adding that the request was forwarded to Interpol and the National Prosecuting Authority to execute, and that a warrant of arrest has been issued against De Klerk.
De Klerk was the alleged paymaster in Namibia’s biggest corruption scandal, who was mostly assisted by James Hatuikulipi with instructions on the transfer of funds from De Klerk’s law firm.
When extradited to Namibia, he will stand trial alongside other trial-awaiting Fishrot accused such as former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, businessman and former Investec managing director James Hatuikulipi, Fishcor’s former CEO Mike Nghipunya, prominent businessman Tamson Hatuikulipi and others, who are currently battling their release on bail.
