ACC Investigator says several companies received money from DHC

ACC Investigator says several companies received money from DHC

Staff Reporter

A company owned by former minister of Fisheries, Bernard Esau and his wife were among several companies which received illicit funds from the fishrot entangled DHC law firm, owned by Maren De Klerk.

This was said by Andreas Kanyangela, an employee of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the lead Investigator in the in Fishrot case.

Kanyangela made these remarks during the examination-in-chief on the ongoing bail application proceedings of Tamson Hatuikulipi in the High Court of Namibia, led by state prosecutor Hezekiel Iipinge.

Kanyangela testified that an entity in the name of Otjiwarongo Plot 51 CC, owned by former Fisheries Minister, Esau and his wife (Swama Esau), was one of the beneficiaries of money transferred from a law firm (DHC) owned by lawyer Maren De Klerk.

The lead investigator also testified the Company owns a farm in the Otjiwarongo district, noting that the payments received from DHC was for purchasing and registration of the farm in question.

He further pointed out that his investigations revealed that there exists a strong connection between Tamson Hatuikulipi and his co-accused persons, such as his father-in-law Bernard Esau as well as his cousins; James Hatuikulipi and Pius Mwatelulo by virtue of being relatives.

He added that both James Hatuikulipi and Mwatelulo own companies that were utilized to channel state funds that were obtained illegally.

Kanyangela testified that the daughter to the former fisheries Minister, Ndapandula Johana Hatuikulipi, also has companies like Oholo Trading Cc and Waaniilonga Investment CC in which her husband, Tamson Hatuikulipi, has an interest and that such entities also received payments from the Fishrot syndicate.

Court is adjourned for lunch and the proceedings will resume at 14:15 for the continuation of the bail application.