High Court Judge Moses Chinhengo has dismissed two motions from the Fishrot accused, Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo, who sought legal advice from the court on how to proceed with the case. 

Judge Chinhengo clarified that the court can only offer directions and not legal advice. 

Judge Moses Chinhengo has ruled that the Fishrot accused will proceed with the plea-taking, even in the absence of Bernhardt Esau's lawyer, Florian Beukes, who is on medical leave until December 22.