Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Police have announced that Bank Windhoek is offering a reward of N$20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Nico Hijendepi Rebebe, the man who attempted to steal N$200 million from the bank’s Opuwo branch over the past weekend.
Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, revealed that in the meantime, two of Rebebe’s accomplices, a 34-year-old man named Untag Kamati, and a 19-year-old girl named Fenni Megameno Ankoshi, have been arrested and charged with fraud and theft.
“The two accomplices appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft and fraud. They made their first appearance before the Opuwo Magistrate Court yesterday,” she said.
Rebebe, a 30-year-old employee of Bank Windhoek in Opuwo, is still at large after attempting to steal an astounding N$200 million last Saturday.
The suspect gained international attention when it was revealed that he allegedly transferred equal portions of N$200 million into two different bank accounts without the authorization of the bank manager.
At the time of the incident, the bank manager informed investigators that the two accounts used for the illicit deposits were opened on 20 December last year. He told the police that following the transfer, the suspect left the bank and disappeared.
Shortly after news of the audacious attempt to steal such an enormous sum of money spread, Baronice Hans, the Managing Director of Bank Windhoek, released a statement saying that the bank had managed to limit its losses to less than N$2 million.
“The matter was promptly reported to the Namibian Police, and the Bank is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Thanks to the vigilant actions of our staff and the robust systems and controls within Bank Windhoek, the potential loss is less than N$2 million. No customer funds have been affected in any way by this incident,” Hans stated.
She added that Bank Windhoek cannot provide further comments while the investigation is ongoing but assured customers and stakeholders that the bank remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of security and integrity.
Deputy Commissioner Shikwambi reiterated that 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 suspect.
She 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.
