Armed gang targets DTA MP’s shop at Ongwediva

FIVE men armed with pistols and an AK47 rifle stormed the Uukumwe shop at Ongwediva on Friday evening, but fled empty-handed after a shop attendant screamed for help.

The shop belongs to DTA parliamentarian Phillemon Moongo. The shop attendant, who ignored threats by the robbers not to scream, told The Namibian at the weekend that she was about to close the shop on Friday evening when the armed men pounced.The woman, who did not want to be identified, said she noticed five young men emerge from nearby bushes, some of them armed with pistols.She said one of them walked straight up to her, pointed a gun at her and ordered her to shut up.But she screamed for help, prompting the security guard to come and investigate what was going on.The robbers fled into the night after a brief exchange of fire with the guard.By late yesterday no suspect had been arrested in connection with the attempted robbery.Ongwediva residents have expressed concern about the escalation of crime, particularly armed robberies, in their area.On Monday a week ago, about 12 men, some of them armed with AK47 rifles, stormed into the Kaupa Informal Settlement and made off with bags of clothing.The shop attendant, who ignored threats by the robbers not to scream, told The Namibian at the weekend that she was about to close the shop on Friday evening when the armed men pounced.The woman, who did not want to be identified, said she noticed five young men emerge from nearby bushes, some of them armed with pistols.She said one of them walked straight up to her, pointed a gun at her and ordered her to shut up.But she screamed for help, prompting the security guard to come and investigate what was going on.The robbers fled into the night after a brief exchange of fire with the guard.By late yesterday no suspect had been arrested in connection with the attempted robbery.Ongwediva residents have expressed concern about the escalation of crime, particularly armed robberies, in their area.On Monday a week ago, about 12 men, some of them armed with AK47 rifles, stormed into the Kaupa Informal Settlement and made off with bags of clothing.