Delays and Poor Cooperation Stall Namibia’s Fishrot Corruption Investigation

Years after the Fishrot fraud and corruption scandal first rattled Namibia, government-appointed curators say their bid to trace, seize and administer assets tied to the case is being stalled on multiple fronts. Appointed in 2024, the curators report running into legal and institutional obstacles at home and abroad, while also voicing frustration over local banks’ slow or absent replies, cancelled engagements with the accused, and gaps in critical records — all of which have dragged out their work.

Back in 2020, The Namibian reported that suspects in the Fishrot affair held properties overseas — among them high-end homes in Cape Town, Dubai, England and Spain. Many of those assets are linked to former Investec Asset Management Namibia managing director James Hatuikulipi, one of the accused, whose case has remained in limbo since 2019.

Also in 2020, a court ordered the immediate restraint of all properties connected to the matter, covering bank accounts and every asset owned, whether directly or indirectly, by the accused.