Another legal battle has emerged at the High Court, tied to the infamous Fishrot scandal, as Nigel Van Wyk faces staunch opposition from the Prosecutor General in his attempt to seek review and overturn some charges against him.

These are racketeering, the acquisition of proceeds from unlawful activities, and money laundering.

Nigel Van Wyk contends that his alleged role in the scandal has been exaggerated and that the charges do not accurately reflect his actions or involvement.

Van Wyk, implicated as one of the players in the Fishrot scandal, has retained criminal defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji to contest the charges, alleging procedural flaws and a lack of legal merit in the prosecution's decision. 

Charged alongside Shanghala and other Fishrot accused persons, Van Wyk faces serious charges of classic money laundering and racketeering, the acquisition of proceeds from unlawful activities, and obstructing the course of justice, among others.

Van Wyk's trouble with the law started when he reportedly denied police officers access to Shanghala's farm when officers wanted to arrest Shanghala and James Hatuikulipi. 

He was subsequently released on a warning and rearrested shortly after he allegedly removed incriminating evidence from Shaghala's office while the latter was incarcerated.

Van Wyk worked as an employee for a private company owned by Sanghala and other accused persons. 

He previously also worked as a clerk at the Office of the Attorney General during Shanghala's time at the office.

Siyomunji, however, argues that Van Wyk's involvement in the affair has been misrepresented and that the charges against him are not substantiated with sufficient evidence.

In response, the state is vigorously defending the charges, pointing to the extensive evidence gathered during investigations into the Fishrot scandal. 

The Prosecutor General stresses the seriousness of the offences and their detrimental impact on Namibia's economy and public trust.

The Fishrot scandal exposed widespread corruption in Namibia's fishing industry, involving political figures and business elites. 

Van Wyk is the only one of the accused who is free on bail, notwithstanding co-accused former Investec employee Ricardo Gustavo, who was granted bail of N$800,000 in December 2021, just to be reversed later by the Supreme Court on State appeal a year later.