Judge Marelise du Plessis has rejected an application for her recusal in the ongoing Fishrot trial.

The recusal application was brought by accused Sacky Shangala, with James Hatuikulipi and Mike Nghipunya as co-applicants.

In their notice of motion, Shangala stated that the judge must recuse herself from hearing and presiding over the matter. If granted, the applicants also requested that the criminal case be postponed until another judge is allocated.

Judge du Plessis dismissed both the recusal application and the request for a trial postponement until a new judge is appointed.

However, the applicants' legal representative said he intends to apply for leave to appeal the postponement ruling, and Judge du Plessis set that hearing for 13 April.

The State's Cliff Lutibezi said the prosecution will oppose the application for leave to appeal. Accused number one, Ricardo Gustavo, earlier stated he would strongly oppose the recusal application.

Shangala, Hatuikulipi, Pius Mwatelulo, Bernhard Esau, Gustavo, Tamson Hatuikulipi, Mike Nghipunya, Otneel Shuudifonya, Phillipus Mwapopi, and Nigel van Wyk are charged with corruptly receiving payments of at least N$300 million to give the Icelandic fishing company Samherji a competitive advantage in securing access to horse mackerel quotas in Namibia.

The accused face 42 counts, including racketeering, contravening the Anti-Corruption Act, conspiracy, corruptly using an office to receive gratification, fraud, theft, money laundering, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.