Armed robbers snatch N$1.5 million cash at Walvis Bay

By: Hendrina Kanyolo

A cash-in-transit vehicle belonging to the Namibia Protection Services (NPS) was robbed of N$1.5 million by armed men at Walvis Bay on Saturday morning.

According to the Erongo police commander for community affairs, Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the suspects made use of a government number plate on their gateway vehicle.

Shapumba stated that cash was collected from Woermann Brock shops in Kuisebmond and Narraville, U-Save Kuisebmond, Metro cash and carry and Motovac.

The robbery took place between 08:30 to 08:40 in the morning at the Motovac company at Walvis Bay.

According to the police, three security guards were busy loading the cash boxes into the vehicle, when the robbers attacked them. It is alleged that they took about seven boxes loaded with cash, collected from several shops in the vicinity.

It is suspected that the robbers used a White Corolla Quest with government licence plates as a getaway vehicle.

“We assess the situation, members (police) are on the ground, gathering all pieces of information and we are following the matter with confidence. We continued to urge members of the public - this particular case happened in public- the planning and pre-planning took place in public-maybe there is someone with information to assist the police in successfully arresting those involved in the particular criminal activity.

Shapumba added that they will be hosting a meeting with security companies to provide training so that they know how to handle such situations.

"If there is a need for us to provide escorts, where people are transporting a really huge amount of money, we should be contacted so that we can do that," said Shapumba.

According to the police, robbers got away with a 1×9 mm Pistol Makarov, an I-tell cellphone, Motorola cellphone and a hand radio. Shapumba is seeking assistance from the community members to assist in reporting any suspicious vehicles in town, so that the thieves can be brought to book.