Fishrot Trial: Key Developments and March 2026 Resumption

Staff Reporter HIGH Court Judge Marilize du Plessis has postponed the Fishrot trial to 9–20 March 2026. This follows the unsuccessful application by James Hatuikulipi, Sackeus Shanghala, Pius Mwatelulo, and Otneel Shuudufonya to have the matter postponed for a longer period, pending the outcome of a collateral review application against the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The judge, however, adjourned the matter to March 2026, partially granting an application by Mike Nghipunya and Shuudufonya’s lawyer to postpone the trial to allow them time to familiarise themselves with the trial documents. Shanghala stated that he intends to lodge an appeal against the judge’s refusal to postpone the matter for a longer period, pending the finalisation of the case he has filed against the ACC in the High Court. In that case, Shanghala challenges the legality of evidence obtained by the ACC against the Fishrot accused, arguing that the watchdog did not have jurisdiction to investigate matters related to the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) and only gained this authority in 2023.