Burglars paralyse Home Affairs

THE doors of the Ministry of Home Affairs office at Swakopmund were closed for most of last week after a burglary brought services at the office to a temporary halt.

According to Police information, the robbery took place at an unknown time last weekend and was brought to the authorities’ attention on Monday morning. The thieves apparently forced open a window.The door to the walk-in safe was apparently cut open with an angle-grinder.Cash and a digital camera and laptop computer used for producing identity documents were among the loot.For the time being, the Ministry’s local office will operate from the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court.The Police have offered a reward for any information about the burglary that will lead to the arrest of the thieves.Chief Inspector Sidney Philander can be called at (064) 21 9061.Criminal Investigator Warrant Officer George Xuagub can be reached at (064) 40 4057.Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry’s Swakopmund office told The Namibian that only maxi passports, for which the application fee is N$360, can currently be issued.The normal passports, which cost N$160, are out of stock and may only be available again in December.The thieves apparently forced open a window.The door to the walk-in safe was apparently cut open with an angle-grinder.Cash and a digital camera and laptop computer used for producing identity documents were among the loot.For the time being, the Ministry’s local office will operate from the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court.The Police have offered a reward for any information about the burglary that will lead to the arrest of the thieves.Chief Inspector Sidney Philander can be called at (064) 21 9061.Criminal Investigator Warrant Officer George Xuagub can be reached at (064) 40 4057.Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry’s Swakopmund office told The Namibian that only maxi passports, for which the application fee is N$360, can currently be issued.The normal passports, which cost N$160, are out of stock and may only be available again in December.