Curators who were tasked to manage the assets of some of the Fishrot accused will keep doing their job until suitable replacements have been identified.
Local curators, David Bruni and Ian McLaren said they have no intention of “simply walking away” from managing the accused’s assets currently in their possession.
“We will continue to retain possession of and administer the assets in our possession and will assist any newly appointed curator bonis,” said Bruni in court papers filed on Friday.
On 10 October, prosecutor general Martha Imalwa filed an application for the court to compel Bruni and McLaren to give detailed answers on the multi-million dollar seized assets of the Fishrot accused that they are managing. Imalwa’s request comes after the curators applied with the court seeking to be relieved of their duties. The curators claim they do not have the capacity to manage the vast number of properties owned by the accused.
According to them, the sheer volume of assets owned by Fishrot-accused kingpins has made it difficult for them to manage it properly.
On top of that, the duo has also expressed frustration over the bureaucratic processes that have made their management jobs difficult. Curators also called out the Anti-Corruption Commission on how they have handled the matter. They asked the ACC to explain why they have refused to release James Hatuikulipi’s assets into their care as per court order. They have also questioned the whereabouts of one of Hatuikulipi’s vehicles that they confiscated.
Bruni and McLaren are currently managing the assets of James Hatuikulipi, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo, Sacky Shanghala, Bernhard Esau and Pius Mwatelulo.
The group has a combined 26 erven spread over various Namibian towns as well as in Cape Town, South Africa. Tamson has the highest number of immovable properties; 17 erven and seven sectional title
units.
The group’s fleet comprises 48 vehicles of which Tamson and James top the list with 14 and 13 vehicles, respectively. The vehicles comprise luxury cars such as Volkswagen Amarok 3.0, Mercedes Benz R231, Range Rover Sport, Ford Ranger DC 3.2 Wild Track and Range Rover 5.0 V8.
The curators are also managing the accused’s 33 bank accounts of which James has 12 –with three in South Africa, USA and Europe.
The assets being managed also include the accused shareholding in various companies and trusts.
In addition to managing the personal assets of the accused, the curators are also handling the affairs and properties belonging to their companies. The companies include, Nengomar Pesca Namibia, Erongo Clearing, JTH Trading, Greyguard, Otuafika Investments, Otuafika logistics, Fitty Entertainments, Cambadara Trust, Olea Investments and Omholo Trust. Also under curatorship are Oholo trading, AL Investment and Gwaaniilongo Investment.
Bruni and McLaren are also managing the affairs of Esja Holding, Mermaria Seafood, Saga Seafood, and Heinaste Investment
Namibia.
The duo also has curatorship over gifts given to Tamson’s wife Johanna Hatuikulipi and Esau’s wife Swaama Esau. Johanna was gifted three erven in Swakopmund and 100% shareholding in J.N.H Investment.
While Swamma received a Toyota Land Cruiser, Venter Elite Trailer, 50% shares in Esvute Engineering, and a 50% stake in Otjiwarongo Plot Fifty-One.
The curators have agreed to file a comprehensive report on the assets in their care as requested by the prosecutor general Martha Imalwa.
-mamakali@nepc.com.na