Staff Reporter
TAMSON ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi, one of the men charged in the Fishrot fishing quotas fraud, corruption, and racketeering case, said that until November 2023, he had not seen his children for a period of four years.
Hatuikulipi made these remarks in his new bail application on new facts, which is currently being heard before the High Court. The Fishrot accused added that his son is turning 12 in September 2024 and that he would be entering his teenage years without the leadership of a father. Hatuikulipi added that he had not been allowed to see his children for four years and was only granted permission in November 2023. “I’m allowed to see my children once or twice a month. We use the same facilities in which we consult our lawyers. They were excited when they saw me, but they did not wish to leave when it was time to go. It was a tough moment. A member from the facility said time is up. I saw tears in their eyes. I tried to calm them down and said daddy will come home soon,” Hatuikulipi said, adding that his children have yet to come to terms with his incarceration.
The accused further testified that his financial position has deteriorated, as well as his ties with his children. He added that the Fishrot trial did not start on 2 October 2023, and that there is no date set yet in this regard. Hatuikulipi said that most of the accused in the matter could not proceed with the trial due to a lack of funds to acquire legal representation.
He further said that his application for legal aid was rejected in November 2023, and that his assets are restrained. As such, he needs to be released on bail to mobilize funds through his business ventures to keep his current lawyer. “Given the nature of this complex case, I implore this court to consider the prejudice I would suffer during trial and the impact it will have on the administration of justice,” Hatuikulipi said.
He added that his debts on his properties have also increased over the period of his incarceration, adding that he owes N$65,000 to the Body Corporate for his Bella Rosa property, N$37,734 on rates and taxes for his Wanaheda business property, and N$167,000 in rates and taxes for another property.
