Rebebe’s money chopped at coast

… Investigators follow money trail to Erongo

Most of the N$2 million which disappeared in the Bank Windhoek theft involving employee Nico Rebebe was spent at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

Kunene regional police commander commissioner James Nderura revealed this to The Namibian yesterday.

He said he has dispatched a team of investigators in the region to probe the theft.

“We are still busy with the investigations, and my members are currently in the Erongo region, particularly at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, because that is where most of the money was used.

“We will have to wait for our investigators to come back so we can provide you with more details on the case,” he said.

Nderura said the N$20 000 reward for information leading to Rebebe’s whereabouts remains unclaimed.

Deputy commissioner Paavo Iiyambo yesterday said the 15 people who have been arrested in connection with the case have appeared in court.

“Investigations are still ongoing. So far, 15 people, including Rebebe, have appeared in court,” he said.

Rebebe was arrested on 8 March after being on the run for 54 days, before the police received a tip-off that he was at Opuwo at his girlfriend’s house and wanted to surrender himself to the police.

It is alleged he was initially hiding in Angola.

According to the Kavango East acting regional commander deputy commissioner Eino Nambahu, N$1,5 million was discovered in the bank accounts of three suspects, while N$200 000 was found in the accounts of another three.

“Rebebe had approached the six, promising them jobs at a farm, and one of the requirements was to open a bank account with Bank Windhoek in which he would pay their monthly salaries,” Nambahu said.

In January, the police said Rebebe allegedly had stolen N$200 million from Bank Windhoek’s Opuwo branch.

However, Bank Windhoek managing director Baronice Hans at the time said the potential loss was less than N$2 million.

“Thanks to vigilant staff action and robust systems and controls within Bank Windhoek, no customer funds have been affected in any way by this incident,” she said.

Bank Windhoek spokesperson Jacquiline Pack yesterday confirmed that the potential loss is less than N$2 million and has not changed.

“Bank Windhoek cannot provide any comment on an ongoing investigation, as the matter is sub judice,” she said.