A SWISS family on tour in Namibia have applauded the police for acting swiftly in arresting seven suspects who had stolen bags with items valued at N$86 000 in Windhoek this week.
Khomas regional police commander, commissioner Sylvanus Nghishindimbwa, confirmed the arrests, and identified the tourists as Peter and Brigitte Marie Hostettler.
Nghishindimbwa said the robbery happened at a service station along Hosea Kutako Avenue. He said the couple were busy at a service station when three men jumped out of a car and stole one bag which contained items valued at N$85 890.
Among the items were cameras, a long lens and an iPad mini.
Detectives then worked on the case until 03h00, and recovered most of the items, except an iPad, a camera’s memory card and sunglasses.
The police also found other items such as expensive cameras and lenses that did not belong to the Swiss couple.
The Hostettlers, who were at the police station in Windhoek, could not hide their joy.
“Thank you to the police of Namibia. We are very impressed,” Peter said.
Nghishindimbwa said people who buy stolen items were creating a market.
He thus warned those who are working with robbers, saying the police would continue to ensure that tourists are safe in the country.
Undeterred, the Hostettlers said they will continue their tour throughout Namibia after they arrived in the country on 12 September.
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