Niël Terblanché
Eight more suspects linked to the multimillion-dollar theft by the 30-year-old Nico Hijendepi Rebebe an employee of Bank Windhoek at its Opuwo branch were arrested in Rundu during an intelligence-led operation executed by the Namibian Police.
Rebebe attempted to steal N$200 million from his employers through a series of illicit money transfers.
The arrest of six suspects were made on Wednesday after one of the suspects attempted to withdraw huge sums of money over the counter at the Rundu branch of Bank Windhoek.
Two more arrested on Thursday after another attempted to withdraw a large sum of money over the counter at Rundu branch of Bank Windhoek on Thursday afternoon.
According to investigators Rebebe, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the massive theft of millions of Namibian Dollars, allegedly approached the six latest accomplices and promised them each a job on a farm.
One of the requirements in qualifying for these jobs the accomplices had to open accounts with Bank Windhoek.
Rebebe allegedly promised his accomplices that he would facilitate their remuneration through these bank accounts.
The master brain is said to have deposited N$2.1 million into the accounts of his six accomplices in Rundu. The deposited amounts vary between N$200 000 and N$500 000.
The arrest of the eight accomplices follows short on the heels of two other people, the 34-year-old Untag Kamati, and a 19-year-old girl named Fenni Megameno Ankoshi.
They were arrested earlier this week and were charged with fraud and theft.
Kamati and Ankoshi already appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft and fraud on Wednesday and both were remanded in custody until their next appearance on 11 April 2024.
The arrest of seight more suspects followed shortly after the Namibian Police announced that a reward of N$20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Rebebe.
Bank Windhoek is offering a reward of N$20,000 to anyone who provides information to the Namibian Police leading to the successful apprehension of the main suspect.
Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, urged anyone with information about Rebebe’s whereabouts to contact Deputy Commissioner Iyambo at 081 649 9249, the nearest Police Station, or Joseph Mafwila at Bank Windhoek at 081 122 2091.
