Former Fisheries Minister Bernard Esau appealed to the court on Wednesday during his bail application, citing his deteriorating health condition as a reason to be granted bail.
Esau explained that the Windhoek Correctional Facility, where he is currently detained, is not suitable for someone with chronic diseases. He revealed that he requires at least 17 to 25 tablets per day just to survive, as he recently had to be hospitalized at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, which caused a delay in his bail application.
Esau further disclosed that he suffers from heart disease and hypertension, and maintaining his health while imprisoned has been challenging for him.
He recounted an incident where he collapsed and was taken to the Roman Catholic Hospital and later transferred to the Lady Pohamba Hospital. Despite the Windhoek Correctional Facility having a medical facility, he was not able to receive adequate assistance. Esau stated that he was in critical condition and his heart had nearly stopped beating. He was discharged from the hospital on 25th February 2023 after being hospitalized for five days.
A doctor's note presented in court confirmed that Esau was diagnosed with significant hypertension and a cardiac issue, which was stabilized with medical attention. He was prescribed regular medication, but he was unable to return to court for his bail application as he was not in a condition to testify.
Esau pleaded with the court, stating that if granted bail, he would be in a better position to take care of his health while awaiting trial. His trial is scheduled to begin in October of the current year.
He filed his bail application in collaboration with Nigel van Wyk, who is an assistant to Sacky Shanghala. Esau and van Wyk, along with other accused persons, have been in custody since their arrest in 2019 in Namibia's biggest corruption case.