Niël Terblanché
The nationwide manhunt for 30-year-old Nico Rabebe, a former Bank Windhoek employee accused of an audacious N$200 million theft, concluded with his arrest in Opuwo yesterday.
Rabebe’s run from the law ended quietly at his girlfriend’s residence, where, in a surprising twist, he elected to turn himself in to investigators of the Namibian Police.
Kunene Police Regional Commander, Commissioner James Nderura, confirmed the arrest took place early yesterday morning at about 07:00.
The fugitive instructed his girlfriend to inform the police of his desire to surrender.
This unexpected move brought an end to a saga that captivated the nation and drew international attention for its sheer boldness.
Rabebe was implicated in a sophisticated financial crime, accused of funnelling a staggering N$200 million into two separate accounts sometime during December last year.
Bank Windhoek previously announced a N$20,000 reward for information leading to Rabebe’s capture.
At the time, it was revealed that Rabebe executed the unauthorized transfers in equal portions to two newly opened bank accounts.
Despite the initial alarm, Bank Windhoek’s managing director, Baronice Hans, assured the public that the bank’s losses were contained to less than N$2 million, with no customer funds compromised thanks to the prompt actions of the bank’s staff.
At the time, Hans, while unable to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation, reaffirmed Bank Windhoek’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity.
Rabebe is expected to face the judicial system in his first court appearance in the coming days.
Although the turn of events seems to be ripped straight from the plot of a high-stakes crime thriller, it is still not clear if Rabebe’s girlfriend will eventually receive the N$20,000 reward money offered by Bank Windhoek.
