Namibian Police hunt paparazzi at Langstrand

PAPARAZZI lurking at Langstrand in the hope of snatching lucrative photographs of Hollywood golden couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are beginning to feel the wrath of the Namibian authorities.

Police officers descended on the beach resort yesterday to flush out foreign photographers who are not in possession of the necessary work permits. They went to at least two houses in a complex adjacent to the Burning Shore lodge where the celebrity couple are staying, searching for photographers or photographic equipment.When asked by The Namibian about the actions of the Police, regional Police Commissioner Andrew Iyambo said those residents interrogated by officers were “identified as people who are harassing others”.When asked who had made the complaints of harassment, Iyambo said the media had no business complaining and immediately disconnected the call.It was reported earlier that the Hollywood stars’ privacy had been guaranteed by Iyambo and security would be enforced.Jolie is reported to be eight months pregnant.The baby is said be due in mid-May.According to Wilma Deetlefs of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Windhoek, quoted in an earlier Associated Press report, foreign photographers are required by law to be in possession of temporary work permits when entering the country.When asked whether he himself had a work permit, the chief of the Jolie-Pitt security team, Mickey Brett, said he didn’t need one because he was in Namibia on holiday.Meanwhile, the public jetty at Langstrand and the upper deck of the popular Langstrand Restaurant have been cordoned off.A high fence of shade netting has been erected around the Burning Shore lodge.According to Regional Governor Samuel Nuuyoma, who recently enjoyed breakfast with the celebrity couple, the actors have been so harassed by the local and foreign media that they’re considering leaving the country.The Namibian was unable to independently verify Nuuyoma’s comments.According to some residents and employees at Langstrand, there are usually more than three or four photographers around stalking the movements of Pitt and Jolie.They went to at least two houses in a complex adjacent to the Burning Shore lodge where the celebrity couple are staying, searching for photographers or photographic equipment.When asked by The Namibian about the actions of the Police, regional Police Commissioner Andrew Iyambo said those residents interrogated by officers were “identified as people who are harassing others”.When asked who had made the complaints of harassment, Iyambo said the media had no business complaining and immediately disconnected the call.It was reported earlier that the Hollywood stars’ privacy had been guaranteed by Iyambo and security would be enforced.Jolie is reported to be eight months pregnant.The baby is said be due in mid-May.According to Wilma Deetlefs of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Windhoek, quoted in an earlier Associated Press report, foreign photographers are required by law to be in possession of temporary work permits when entering the country.When asked whether he himself had a work permit, the chief of the Jolie-Pitt security team, Mickey Brett, said he didn’t need one because he was in Namibia on holiday.Meanwhile, the public jetty at Langstrand and the upper deck of the popular Langstrand Restaurant have been cordoned off.A high fence of shade netting has been erected around the Burning Shore lodge.According to Regional Governor Samuel Nuuyoma, who recently enjoyed breakfast with the celebrity couple, the actors have been so harassed by the local and foreign media that they’re considering leaving the country.The Namibian was unable to independently verify Nuuyoma’s comments.According to some residents and employees at Langstrand, there are usually more than three or four photographers around stalking the movements of Pitt and Jolie.