Suspects in bank theft denied bail

Three of the six suspects arrested for a break-in at Bank Windhoek's Rehoboth branch, where N$1.3 million was stolen, have appeared before the Rehoboth Magistrate's Court.

Natahan Christopher Seboa, 21, Titus Sterhanzo Beukes, 23, and Andre Franklin Cloete, 29, were charged with theft and robbery.

They were denied bail and the case was postponed until 21 September.

Beukes and Seboa were employed as tellers at the bank. Beukes is also known in local rugby circles.

According to Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, the police spokesman, the other three suspects, who are also from Rehoboth, were released without charge for lack of evidence.

All six suspects were arrested on Monday after a manhunt by the Rehoboth police following the break-in at the bank early that morning.

That same day an amount of N$525 000 was recovered. Kanguatjivi yesterday said that no further cash had been recovered since then.

Burglars broke into the bank at around 03:00 on Monday morning.

According to the police they entered through an open window and then disconnected the CCTV cameras.

They then opened a code-locked door to the tellers' section and took the keys to the vault.

They stole the cash and fled.

ELLANIE SMIT