School computer thieves stump cops

Efforts by the Oshana police to recover 67 laptops, valued at N$223 800, that were stolen from two neighbouring schools in Ongwediva have proven futile. No arrests have also been made.

Towards the end of last year, police were hunting for the thieves who stole computers at Kleine Kuppe Private School on 28 September and Hashiyana Combined School on 29 October last year.

Police said all efforts to trace these computers have reached a dead end.

On 28 September, 32 laptops and a scanner valued at N$140 000 were stolen from the Kleine Kuppe Private School.

A month later, thieves broke into the neighbouring Hashiyana Combined School and got away with 35 mini-laptops, as well as a camera and accessories valued at N$83 800.

Kleine Kuppe principal Isabel Miguel told Namibian Sun the computers were essential for teaching and learning, and the school has decided to replace them.

“After waiting long for the police investigation, we decided to buy new computers. As we speak, the school already has new computers,” Miguel said.

Hashiyana principal Amon Ndeitwa said the theft has impacted the school negatively.

“The school has not yet received any report from the investigators. The theft of these computers has a drastic impact on the school's teaching and learning, because we are using technology integration towards teaching and learning programmes, and this is a setback to the entire system,” Ndeitwa said.

The police said they had called on members of the public to assist with any information and also checked with computer repair shops for any attempts to remove laptop passwords or systems, but to no avail.

ILENI NANDJATO