Windhoek Chief Magistrate Phillanda Christiaans has postponed the case of the Fishrot suspects to 29 May due to COVID-19 lockdown. They appeared in absentia in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court this morning and have not indicated an intention to apply for bail yet. The suspects include former ministers Sacky Shanghala and Bernhard Esau as well as eight others implicated in the Fishrot scandal. Their appearance today was just a normal scheduled check on the progress of investigations and to possibly set a date for plea and trial. It remains unclear why the 10 are delaying their bail application. Speculation is that they are waiting for the High Court judgement, in an application of two senior South African lawyers, who were found guilty and fined after admitting not having work permits to represent the initial Fishrot six. They have asked the court to set aside their convictions and sentences, and declare it null and void. This judgement will be delivered on Monday.