Tamson Hatuikulipi (one of the men accused in the Fishrot fish quotas fraud & corruption case) claims that his family’s connection to Bernhard Esau, former minister of marine resources, was not the reason why an Icelandic fishing group hired him to help it enter Namibian waters.
Yesterday Hatuikulipi informed acting judge David Munsu at the Windhoek High Court that he didn’t engage Esau, his father-in law and also one of his coaccused in Fishrot, to help secure fishing rights for Samherji’s Icelandic fishing group Samherji.
Hatuikulipi stated that he didn’t discuss Samherji’s entry into Namibian fishing with his mother-in law or his wife Esau, and that they did nothing to help Samherji become involved in Namibian fishing. Hatuikulipi was responding to questions HesekielIipinge put to him.
Hatuikulipi made this statement upon his return to the witness’ stand after a five week break during his bail hearing before Munsu.
In a repeat of earlier testimony, Hatuikulipi said he was introduced to a representative of Samherji, Jóhannes Stefánsson, at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek in November 2011.
Hatuikulipi’s business interests at that time were primarily in entertainment. He owned video machines and gambling machines.
Hatuikulipi said at a second meeting with Stefánsson he was introduced to two other Samherji executives. At that meeting, he said, Stefánsson surprised him by asking him about his wedding, which had taken place in October 2011.
He said Stefánsson also asked him to see photos of the wedding.
Hatuikulipi denied that he was the person who first mentioned his marriage to Esau’s daughter to Stefánsson and fellow Samherji executives Ingvar Júlíusson and Adalsteinn Helgason, as Júlíusson has claimed in a sworn statement.
Hatuikulipi says that Samherji and he signed a contract in December 2011 under which he was to offer consultancy services to the group.
He introduced Samherji to his cousin James Hatuikulipi in January 2012. James Hatuikulipi was more knowledgeable about Namibian fishing and had better contacts in the sector. Samherji could begin fishing in Namibian waters in February 2012 after the boat had been connected to Namibian fishing quota holders Hatuikulipi explained.
Hatuikulipi stated that James Hatuikulipi introduced Samherji to Namibian fishing license holders and helped to secure quota usage agreements between the holders of the quotas and Samherji.
Hatuikulipi stated that he was involved in this process, attending meetings and strategising alongside James Hatuikulipi in order to reach quota usage agreements.
Hatuikulipi, however, was told by Iipinge to that he was the son in-law of the minister responsible for marine resources and fisheries.
Hatuikulipi stated that he had no comment and did not agree to that claim.
Iipinge also asked Hatuikulipi questions about a payment of N$400,000. This was made by Namgomar Pesca (run by Ricardo Gustavo), to Hatuikulipi.
Hatuikulipi stated that this payment was for a list clients who were interested to buy fish for the Angolan markets. He had also provided Gustavo with the list.
Iipinge said N$400 000 was “a substantial amount” to be paid for such a list of potential fish-buying customers.
“It’s what you’re saying,” Hatuikulipi responded, adding he did not want to comment on whether he considered N$400 000 to be a substantial sum of money.
Tomorrow’s bail hearing will continue.
Hatuikulipi has been in custody since November 2019, when he was arrested. He is being represented at this time by Richard Metcalfe (defense lawyer) and Florian Beukes (defence lawyer).
Source: namibian
