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Shanghala’s lackey’s bail hearing postponed

2021-11-29  Maria Sheya

Shanghala’s lackey’s bail hearing postponed

The bail hearing of a former employee of corruption accused Sackey Shanghala and his business partner James Hatuikulipi has been bogged down by incessant delays. 

Nigel van Wyk’s hearing was scheduled to start on Tuesday last week, but kept being postponed until it was finally remanded to 6 December.

During last week’s proceedings in the Windhoek High Court, Van Wyk’s lawyer Jermaine Muchali said they are currently in negotiations with the State, and have reached an agreement in relation to the bail application, whose final details are being finalised. 

Before postponing the case, Judge Johanna Salionga said Judge President Petrus Damaseb has requested for her, Muchali and the State to discuss the way forward in chambers.

This is Van Wyk’s second attempt for bail after the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court denied him bail last year.

Van Wyk is facing two counts of racketeering, three counts of money laundering, with its alternatives, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, one count of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, one count of assault, resisting or obstructing an authorised officer, with its alternatives, and one count of theft. 

He previously worked at the Office of the Government Attorney, where he was a subordinate of Shanghala. He resigned from his position as a senior legal clerk on 31 October 2017, and started to work for Shanghala at Olea Investments. It is stated that he benefitted in the amount of N$1.9 million.   

The prosecution alleges that between January 2018 and December 2019, Van Wyk received more than N$697 000 from Otuafika Logistics. 

The company is co-owned by James Hatuikulipi and his cousin Pius Mwatelulo. It is alleged that during the same period, Van Wyk also received more than N$309 000 from Olea Investments, a company owned by Shanghala.

 The money was allegedly transferred to Van Wyk’s personal account at Bank Windhoek. The State indicated that Van Wyk knew that the funds were derived from unlawful activities.

Van Wyk (34) and Shanghala are also accused of attempting to defeat the course of justice. It is alleged that Van Wyk was caught by the ACC removing potential evidence from Shanghala’s residence in Windhoek. 

The prosecution alleges that the material he removed could be evidence in the ongoing Fishrot saga, a case that is sensitive and of a serious nature.

-mamakali@nepc.com.na


2021-11-29  Maria Sheya

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