May 13, 2024 - South Africa Vision

May 13, 2024

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre Welcomes New Deputy CEO Amid Strategic Transformations

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has recently welcomed Dr. Björn Zoéga as its Deputy CEO, an appointment that underscores its commitment to promoting and fostering healthcare excellence. Dr. Zoéga, renowned for his extensive experience in healthcare management and policy, joins a dedicated team as the hospital continues to drive key strategic initiatives.

KFSH&RC, a leader in medical research and clinical services, continues to attract global expertise to bolster its vision of healthcare excellence. With Dr. Zoéga’s involvement, the hospital is advancing a digital transformation strategy designed to improve operational efficiency and enhance patient care. His expertise in fostering international collaborations, evidenced by his former role as president of the European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA) and through initiatives like JOIN4ATMP aimed at advancing access to innovative therapies, further aligns KFSH&RC’s services with global healthcare trends.

Key projects at KFSH&RC include the deployment of advanced digital technologies to streamline the patient care process, the adoption of innovative care models, and the upgrading of facility amenities. These strategic efforts aim to improve access to medical services and facilitate better communication, reflecting KFSH&RC’s dedication to setting new standards in healthcare.

Dr. Zoéga’s previous contributions at Karolinska University Hospital, which is ranked the second best in Europe and seventh globally by Newsweek’s 2024 World’s Best Hospitals, where he nurtured a culture of continuous learning and collaboration among healthcare professionals, align well with KFSH&RC’s objectives. His role in fostering programs like EUCARE and facilitating the Europe-wide exchange of intensive care nurses during crises has significantly enhanced staff development and supported his previous hospital’s goal of attracting top talent—a principle mirrored in KFSH&RC’s transformation journey. With Dr. Zoéga contributing to leadership, KFSH&RC is poised to further its role as a pivotal player in shaping the future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia.

About King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre:

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre stands among the global leaders in providing specialized healthcare, driving innovation, and serving as an advanced medical research and education hub. Through strategic partnerships with prominent local, regional, and international institutions, the hospital is dedicated to advancing medical technologies and elevating healthcare standards worldwide.

The hospital has secured its position as the leading brand in the healthcare sector across the Kingdom and the Middle East, marking its second consecutive year as the most valuable healthcare brand. It ranks 9th within the Kingdom and 28th in the Middle East. The hospital distinguishes itself as the sole hospital globally to break into the top 10 brands in its country, as highlighted in two reports by “Brand Finance” on the 50 most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia and the 150 most valuable brands in the Middle East in 2024.

Due to the transformation programs and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him – to enhance the Kingdom’s leadership in the global healthcare sector, KFSH&RC has emerged as a leading Academic Medical Centre in the Middle East and Africa. It maintained its 20th rank globally for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to “Brand Finance.” Additionally, it has been ranked among the top 250 hospitals globally in 2024 by the American magazine “Newsweek.”

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Essam AlZahrani, Acting Head of Media Affairs, 0555254429

Mr. Abdullah Alown, Media Coordination Officer, 0556294232

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83d04605-9a75-41cb-8947-81c858209621

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9116335

May 13, 2024

Impulse Dynamics Surpasses 10,000 Patients Benefiting From CCM® Therapy for Heart Failure

Milestone Highlights Transformative Symptom Management for Patients Living with Heart Failure

Marlton, NJ, May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Impulse Dynamics, a global medical device company dedicated to improving the lives of people with heart failure (HF), announced today that it has reached a worldwide milestone by surpassing 10,000 patients having received the Optimizer^®system for the treatment of moderate HF. This milestone highlights the benefit and importance of this therapy in helping patients live a full life with HF.

“I noticed positive changes since the procedure, such as not feeling cold or numb, I could walk every day and everywhere, did my regular chores and shopping, and shared activities like swimming with my daughter,” said Tracey, who received her CCM^® device in 2023. “I’m no longer huffing, puffing, or gasping for air,” said Joe, another HF patient who received his CCM device in 2022. “I’m reborn ─ a whole new person ─ no longer incapacitated. My life has changed so much that we’re considering taking a trip. And my wife is ecstatic because I have my life back, and we have ours again.”

“We are deeply motivated by the patients who benefit from CCM therapy. Their progress inspires us to continuously enhance our technology, aiming to improve the lives of those suffering from heart failure,” said David Prutchi, Chief Technology Officer for Impulse Dynamics, who has worked on the development of CCM therapy since its inception.

David had the opportunity to meet one of these patients, Raynita, who was implanted with an Optimizer device this year. Raynita saw immediate improvement after starting CCM therapy and gave the following remarks on the experience: “I feel like a different person. I can do things I haven’t done in years. I am attending my granddaughter’s college graduation!”

CCM is available in 44 countries, and the technology has continued to advance, based on the needs of patients and physicians. The latest generation of the proprietary CCM technology is the Optimizer Smart Mini, which offers a rechargeable battery with 20-year battery life and a smaller size designed to make the implant procedure faster and easier for patients and physicians.

“We are committed to ongoing innovation in this important therapy that has such a clear clinical need around the world,” said Jason Spees, CEO of Impulse Dynamics. “We are also getting closer to significantly impacting the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) market with successful enrollment in our INTEGRA-D clinical trial on the CCM-D^® HF System, which is the first-of-its-kind technology, combining the lifesaving benefits of an ICD with HF symptom relief through CCM therapy in one device.”

The patients statements in this Press Release represent the testimonials of their individual outcomes and may not be typical for all patients.

About the Optimizer and CCM Therapy

The Optimizer Smart Mini system delivers CCM therapy — the company’s proprietary technology — to the heart, providing an important treatment option for the millions of patients suffering from heart failure. CCM therapy is designed to significantly improve heart contraction, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to be pushed out through the body.[1] CCM therapy is indicated to improve 6-minute hall walk, quality of life, and functional status of NYHA Class III HF patients who remain symptomatic despite guideline directed medical therapy, are not indicated for CRT, and have a left ventricular ejection fraction ranging from 25 to 45 percent.

CCM is the brand name for cardiac contractility modulation—the non-excitatory electrical pulses delivered by the implantable Optimizer device to improve heart contraction. CCM therapy sends unique electrical pulses to the heart cells during the absolute refractory period. In doing so, CCM helps the heart contract more forcibly. Impulse Dynamics has completed numerous clinical studies, including several randomized controlled trials, the results of which appeared in more than 100 articles from leading medical journals.

About Impulse Dynamics

Impulse Dynamics is dedicated to advancing the treatment of heart failure for patients and the healthcare providers who care for them. The company pioneered its proprietary CCM therapy, which uses the Optimizer technology platform to improve quality of life in HF patients. CCM therapy is delivered through the Optimizer system, which includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG) implanted in a minimally invasive procedure and approved for commercial use in the United States and 44 countries worldwide. More than 10,000 patients have received the therapy as part of clinical trials and real-world use, where it is proven to be safe and effective for heart failure patients with debilitating symptoms who otherwise have few effective options available to them. To learn more, visit www.ImpulseDynamics.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘target,’’ ‘‘project,’’ ‘‘contemplate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘predict,’’ ‘‘potential’’ or ‘‘continue’’ or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning potential benefits of CCM therapy. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release include, without limitation: the company’s future research and development costs, capital requirements and the company’s needs for additional financing; commercial success and market acceptance of CCM therapy; the company’s ability to achieve and maintain adequate levels of coverage or reimbursement for Optimizer systems or any future products the company may seek to commercialize; competitive companies and technologies in the industry; the company’s ability to expand its indications and develop and commercialize additional products and enhancements to its current products; the company’s business model and strategic plans for its products, technologies and business, including its implementation thereof; the company’s ability to expand, manage and maintain its direct sales and marketing organization; the company’s ability to commercialize or obtain regulatory approvals for CCM therapy and its products, or the effect of delays in commercializing or obtaining regulatory approvals; FDA or other U.S. or foreign regulatory actions affecting us or the healthcare industry generally, including healthcare reform measures in the United States and international markets; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; and the company’s ability to establish and maintain intellectual property protection for CCM therapy and products or avoid claims of infringement. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

[1] European Journal of Heart Failure (2021) doi:10.1002/ejhf.2202

Attachment

David and Raynita

Scott Way, Executive Vice President, General Counsel
Impulse Dynamics
856-434-7906
[email protected]

Rohan More, Global Vice President, Marketing
Impulse Dynamics
856-642-9933
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9116301

May 13, 2024

Le KFSH&RC s’efforce d’être un pionnier dans la valorisation optimale des dépenses de santé

Le Dr Al Fayyadh à l’Université de Harvard : « Nous nous reposons sur la technologie pour relever les enjeux de santé à l’échelle mondiale »

RIYAD, Arabie saoudite, 12 mai 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Le Dr Majid Al Fayyadh, directeur de l’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal, ou KFSH&RC pour King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, a rejoint la conférence Gulf Creatives 2024, organisée à Harvard. L’organisation de cet événement est assurée par The Diwan, un collectif dirigé par des étudiants diplômés de la célèbre université. Dans son discours, le Dr Al Fayyadh a présenté la trajectoire du KFSH&RC depuis sa création à Riyad il y a presque cinquante ans, mettant en avant comment il est parvenu à réduire considérablement la nécessité de se rendre à l’étranger pour les patients en quête de soins médicaux. L’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal est aujourd’hui un prestataire de santé de premier ordre qui propose des solutions de pointe pour le traitement des maladies cardiaques, des tumeurs, des greffes d’organes et des troubles génétiques.

Le Dr Al Fayyadh a également évoqué la transformation de l’établissement en une fondation indépendante à but non lucratif. Cette démarche, a-t-il indiqué, s’inscrit dans la vision stratégique de l’hôpital à devenir un leader mondial de l’innovation au service de la santé, en focalisant les efforts sur l’excellence, l’innovation et les investissements dans la technologie de pointe pour relever les enjeux de santé à l’échelle mondiale.

« Les instances leader du royaume ont établi un objectif clair pour le KFSH&RC, sous mandat d’un décret royal faisant converger l’hôpital en une fondation indépendante en genre propre, et à but non lucratif » explique Son Excellence le Dr Al Fayyadh.

A souligné par ailleurs que cette transformation vise à relever les normes internationales applicables aux soins de santé au profit de plus d’indépendance et de flexibilité. Cette évolution statutaire permettra au KFSH&RC d’optimiser les services existants, de poursuivre de nouvelles opportunités et d’axer ses ressources sur des initiatives jouant en faveur de la santé et du bien-être humain au sein du royaume et à l’échelle internationale. En fin de compte, cette initiative renforce l’engagement du KFSH&RC envers l’excellence centrée sur le patient.

Le Dr Al Fayyadh a observé que le KFSH&RC se considère comme un leader de la valorisation optimale des dépenses de santé, en adoptant des pratiques fondées sur des preuves aux fins de garantir les meilleurs résultats pour les patients. Il cherche à rester à l’avant-garde de l’innovation mondiale en matière de santé en pilotant des initiatives conçues pour accroître l’équité en matière de santé et l’accès aux soins dans le monde entier. À cet effet, l’hôpital poursuivra ses investissements dans des installations médicales de pointe, des outils de diagnostic avancés et des technologies de traitement de pointe. En s’appuyant sur les progrès réalisés dans des domaines tels que la thérapie cellulaire CAR T, les opérations chirurgicales robotisées, les greffes d’organes et la médecine personnalisée, l’institution aspire atteindre une compétitivité mondiale. Elle y parviendra d’autant mieux en privilégiant l’embauche d’un personnel exceptionnel, en poursuivant des percées dignes d’un prix Nobel et en renforçant les collaborations internationales stratégiques.

Le Dr Al Fayyadh a participé à une table ronde et y a souligné l’évolution du paysage de la santé et les résultats positifs issus de la transformation permanente des soins aux patients apportés par le KFSH&RC. Il a également abordé les enjeux actuels et les développements de demain qui se dessinent au sein du secteur de la santé, en insistant sur les effets prononcés des innovations de l’hôpital sur l’évolution de la santé mondiale. Enfin, le Dr Al Fayyadh a mis en lumière l’efficacité propre aux desseins de transformation de l’hôpital au double regard des objectifs du programme royal de transformation du secteur de la santé et du projet « Saudi Vision 2030 ».

Le KFSH&RC est reconnu parmi les principales institutions du monde à fournir des soins de santé spécialisés, à incarner l’innovation et à faire acte de centre de recherche médicale et d’éducation avancé. L’hôpital se consacre au développement de technologies médicales et au relèvement du niveau des soins de santé dans le monde entier, en forgeant des partenariats avec des institutions locales, régionales et internationales de premier plan pour atteindre les meilleures pratiques dans les domaines cliniques, de recherche et d’éducation.

Pour la deuxième année consécutive, le KFSH&RC a été consacré au titre de la première institution du royaume et se classe à la 20e position du classement mondial distinguant les 250 principaux centres médicaux universitaires du monde. Son empreinte est également reconnue au titre de la marque de santé la plus valorisée du royaume et du Moyen-Orient en 2024, selon Brand Finance, et le magazine Newsweek l’a classé parmi les 250 meilleurs hôpitaux du monde.

À propos de l’hôpital spécialisé et centre de recherche King Faisal :

Le King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre fait partie des leaders mondiaux en matière de soins de santé spécialisés, et d’innovation, servant de centre de formation et de recherche médicale avancée. Grâce à des partenariats stratégiques avec d’éminents établissements locaux, régionaux et internationaux, l’hôpital se consacre à l’avancement des technologies médicales et à l’élévation des normes de soins de santé dans le monde entier.

L’hôpital a conforté sa position de leader du secteur de la santé en Arabie saoudite et au Moyen-Orient, en se voyant décerner pour la deuxième année consécutive le titre de marque de santé la plus valorisée. Il se classe 9e du royaume et 28e au Moyen-Orient. L’hôpital se distingue en étant le seul hôpital du monde à figurer au top 10 des marques de son pays, comme le soulignent deux rapports de « Brand Finance » consacrés aux 50 meilleures marques d’Arabie saoudite et aux 150 meilleures marques du Moyen-Orient en 2024, respectivement.

En raison des programmes de transformation et du projet royal « Saudi Vision 2030 » initié par Son Altesse Royale le Prince Héritier et Premier Ministre – que Dieu le préserve – pour renforcer le leadership du royaume dans le secteur de la santé mondiale, le KFSH&RC est devenu un centre médical universitaire de première importance dans la région MENA. En 2024, il s’est classé au 20e rang mondial pour la deuxième année consécutive selon « Brand Finance », et s’est également distingué parmi les 250 meilleurs hôpitaux du monde selon le magazine américain « Newsweek » cette même année.

Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez contacter :

M. Essam AlZahrani, Responsable des affaires médiatiques, 0555254429

M. Abdullah Alown, Coordinateur médias, 0556294232

Les photos jointes au présent communiqué sont disponibles aux adresses suivantes :
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May 13, 2024

KFSH&RC Dedicado a Ser Pioneiro na Maximização do Valor dos Gastos com Saúde

Dr. Al Fayyadh em Harvard: Utilizamos a Tecnologia para Enfrentar os Desafios Globais de Saúde

RIADE, Arábia Saudita, May 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — O Dr. Majid Al Fayyadh, CEO do King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) participa da Gulf Creatives Conference (GCC) at Harvard 2024. O evento, GCC at Harvard, é organizado pela The Diwan, uma organização dirigida por estudantes de pós-graduação da Universidade de Harvard. No seu discurso, o Dr. Al Fayyadh exibiu a jornada do KFSH&RC desde a sua criação em Riade há quase cinco décadas, mostrando como o hospital reduziu significativamente a necessidade de os pacientes viajarem para outros países para obterem cuidados médicos. O KFSH&RC passou a ser um prestador de serviços de saúde terciário de primeira linha e hoje oferece tratamentos de ponta para doenças cardíacas, tumores, transplante de órgãos e distúrbios genéticos.

O Dr. Al Fayyadh discutiu a transformação do KFSH&RC em uma fundação independente e sem fins lucrativos. Essa iniciativa, segundo ele, está alinhada com a visão estratégica da organização de se tornar líder global em inovação em saúde, enfatizando a excelência, inovação e investimento em tecnologia de ponta para enfrentar os desafios globais de saúde.

“A liderança saudita delineou uma visão clara para o KFSH&RC, estipulada por um decreto real de transição do hospital para uma fundação independente Sui Generis, sem fins lucrativos”, disse Sua Excelência, o Dr. Al Fayyadh.

Ele destacou ainda que essa transformação busca elevar os padrões globais de saúde por meio da maior independência e flexibilidade. Essa mudança permitirá que o KSFH&RC otimize os serviços existentes, busque novas oportunidades e direcione recursos para iniciativas que promovam a saúde e o bem-estar humanos dentro do Reino e no exterior. Em última análise, essa transição confirma a dedicação do KFSH&RC para com a excelência centrada no paciente.

O Dr. Al Fayyadh apontou que o KFSH&RC se vê como líder na maximização do valor dos gastos com saúde, aderindo a práticas baseadas em evidências para garantir ótimos resultados para os pacientes. O hospital busca permanecer na vanguarda da inovação global em saúde, com iniciativas destinadas a aumentar a equidade e o acesso à saúde em todo o mundo. Para conseguir isso, o KFSH&RC continuará a investir em instalações médicas de ponta, equipamentos avançados de diagnóstico, e tecnologias de tratamento de última geração. Com base no progresso existente em áreas como terapia com células CAR T, cirurgias robóticas, transplantes de órgãos e medicina personalizada, a instituição visa alcançar competitividade global. Isso será ainda mais apoiado pela promoção de uma força de trabalho excepcional, pela busca de avanços a nível do Prêmio Nobel e pelo fortalecimento de colaborações internacionais estratégicas.

O Dr. Al Fayyadh participou de um painel de discussão com foco no cenário em evolução do setor de saúde e nos resultados positivos da transformação contínua do KFSH&RC no atendimento ao paciente. Ele também abordou os desafios atuais e antecipou desenvolvimentos futuros no setor de saúde, enfatizando o profundo impacto das inovações do hospital no avanço global da saúde. Além disso, o Dr. Al Fayyadh destacou o papel eficaz das iniciativas transformadoras do hospital no alinhamento com os objetivos do Programa de Transformação do Setor de Saúde e da Saudi Vision 2030.

O KFSH&RC é reconhecido como uma das principais instituições mundiais pelo seu cuidado de saúde especializado, incentivo à inovação, sendo um hub avançado de pesquisa e educação médica avançada. Ele se dedica ao desenvolvimento de tecnologias médicas e aprimoramento dos padrões de cuidados em todo o mundo por meio de parcerias com as principais instituições locais, regionais e internacionais, para oferecer um serviço de classe mundial nos campos clínico, de pesquisa e educacional.

Pelo segundo ano consecutivo, o KFSH&RC manteve seu status de instituição líder no Reino, ocupando o 20º lugar mundial entre os 250 melhores centros médicos acadêmicos do mundo. Também foi reconhecido como a marca de saúde mais valiosa do Reino e do Oriente Médio em 2024, de acordo com a Brand Finance, e foi classificado entre os 250 melhores hospitais do mundo pela Newsweek Magazine.

Sobre o King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre :

O King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre é dos líderes globais de prestação de cuidados de saúde especializados, condução de inovação, e um hubs avançado de pesquisa e educação médica. Por meio de parcerias estratégicas com proeminentes instituições locais, regionais e internacionais, o hospital se dedica ao avanço de tecnologias médicas e elevação dos padrões de cuidado da saúde em todo o mundo.

O hospital conquistou sua posição como marca líder no setor de saúde em todo o Reino e Oriente Médio, marcando seu segundo ano consecutivo como a marca de saúde mais valiosa. Ele ocupa o 9º lugar no Reino e o 28º no Oriente Médio. O hospital se distingue como o único hospital do mundo a ser listado entre as 10 principais marcas do seu país, de acordo com dois relatórios da “Brand Finance” sobre as 50 marcas mais valiosas da Arábia Saudita e as 150 marcas mais valiosas do Oriente Médio em 2024.

Devido aos programas de transformação e à Vision 2030 do Reino, lançados por Sua Alteza Real o Príncipe Herdeiro e pelo Primeiro-Ministro – que Deus o proteja – para aumentar a liderança do Reino no setor global de saúde, o KFSH&RC surgiu como um dos principais Centros Médicos Acadêmicos do Oriente Médio e da África. Ele permaneceu em 20º lugar no mundo pelo segundo ano consecutivo em 2024, de acordo com o “Brand Finance”. Além disso, ele foi classificado entre os melhores hospitais do mundo em 2024 pela revista americana “Newsweek”.

Para mais informações, contate:

Sr. Essam AlZahrani, Dirigente Interino de Assuntos de Mídia, 0555254429

Sr. Abdullah Alown, Editor Sênior de Mídia, 0556294232

Fotos deste comunicados disponíveis em:
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May 13, 2024

Public Works Minister to visit George building disaster site

Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister, Sihle Zikalala, will today lead a delegation comprising built environment professionals and experts to the George building disaster.

Zikala’s visit follows last Monday’s collapse of the Victoria Street multi-storey site building in the Western Cape’s George Municipality.

In a brief statement on Monday morning, the George municipality confirmed 24 fatalities adding that rescue and recovery efforts are continuing.

The delegation will include leadership from DPWI senior executives, the Construction Industry and Development Board (CIDB), Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and its regulatory professional councils, namely Quantity Surveyors, Town Planners, Engineers, Environments Practitioners, Land Surveyors, Project and Construction Managers, Property Valuers, Architects and Landscape Architects.

The two entities of the DPWI are responsible for regulating the built environment and construction sector in the country.

The purpose of the visit is to ascertai
n the role of professionals who were involved with this project and assess if there was compliance with all built environment regulations or there was no misconduct committed by the professionals leading to the disaster.

Minister Zikalala will first visit the Joint Operations Center and get a briefing and update on the situation, then proceed to visit the disaster site.

The Minister will then address the media together with his delegation of professionals.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the families of those who died in the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi visited the site of the collapsed building on Thursday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

May 13, 2024

Imalwa, Hatuikulipi face off in POCA challenge

WINDHOEK: Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa argued in the Windhoek High Court on Monday that the whereabouts of N.dollars 61.8 million allegedly paid by Tundavala Invest, a company owned by Fishrot suspect James Hatuikulipi, into bank accounts in Dubai, is still unknown.

Imalwa made the argument in court papers during a hearing in which Hatuikulipi and his cousin and co-accused, Tamson Hatuikulipi are challenging the prosecutor general’s restraint order that let to the subsequent freezing of their assets. The two men were arrested in November 2019 on allegations of receiving bribes in order to allocate fishing quotas to Icelandic fishing giant, Samherji.

They are charged alongside former fisheries minister Bernardt Esau, former justice minister Sakeus Shanghala, former chief executive of Fishcor, Mike Nghipunya, Ricardo Gustavo, Nigel van Wyk, Pius Mwatelula, Phillipus Mwapopi and Otneel Shuudifonya.

The Hatuikulipi cousins, represented by South African lawyer Vasantrai Soni, are seeking a high court order
granting them access to their frozen assets in order to pay outstanding and future legal costs. The application is governed by Section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 29 of 2004 , which stresses that the order is to be granted, given that the applicants provide a full disclosure of their monthly income and expenditure statements and property.

On Monday Imalwa’s lawyer, Mariette Boonzaier, told presiding Judge Claudia that James’ alleged non-disclosure of the N.dollars 61 828 240.05 that was paid into bank accounts in Dubai as well as failure to declare pending tax liabilities weigh against them in that the court, in exercising its discretion in granting their relief, will not have a clear picture of the two men’s financial status.

‘The applicant claims that there are no funds in this account, that the PG cannot expect him to prove a negative and that this matter will arise during the criminal trial and evidence will be led on this issue then. He further alleges that until such time, it cannot b
e held against him that he has no knowledge thereof. The whereabouts of the N.dollars 62 million that was withdrawn before the closure of the bank account should be disclosed to this court. This too falls short of the requisite disclosure,’ Imalwa argued.

According to her, James failed to disclose his tax liability of N.dollars 19 438 195.87 for the periods 2014 to 2019 in his personal capacity. Cambadara Trust, co-owned by the two cousins, also failed to disclose its tax liability of N.dollars 33 614 813.24 for the periods 2014 to 2019, Imalwa added.

Hatuikulipi however argues that the tax liability is the subject of counts nine and 10 of the initial criminal charges he faces, adding that the issue is to be determined in the criminal court.

‘The applicants say they are not guilty and intend to plead not guilty at the criminal trial. It is submitted that until their guilt has been determined by the criminal court, in terms of s 12(1)(d) of the Constitution, the applicants are presumed to be innocent. The a
pplicants deny such liability. They were accordingly not required to disclose it,’ Soni told Judge Claasen.

Imalwa also argued that Hatuikulipi has, to date, failed to disclose his total legal costs.

‘Friends and loved ones have been aiding by making contributions towards his legal fees and other legal expenses. There is nothing to gainsay that explanation,’ Soni replied.

Judge Claasen has reserved ruling in the matter.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency