Computer thieves raid unions

LABOUR union offices in Katutura yesterday became the latest target of a month-long spate of computer thefts in Windhoek.

No arrests have been made in the ongoing series of burglaries, mainly at Government offices and private companies. When employees of the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Natau) arrived at their offices yesterday, two of the offices were standing wide open, while another office belonging to the Namibia Farmworkers’ Union (Nafwu) had also been ransacked.First indications were that three computer monitors, a safe and a sound system had been stolen, along with about N$3 000 in cash that had been kept in a cashbox in one of the Natau offices.A photocopier that had been removed from one of the offices was found lying in the veld near the building.The thieves apparently gained entry into the yard by cutting a hole in the fence.A pair of pliers was later discovered in a tree outside the yard.Nafwu General Secretary Alfred Angula said the financial cost of the crime had not yet been calculated, but the data on the stolen computers was a major loss.”We’ve lost all our data system information, and unfortunately we did not keep any backups on CDs or USB [devices],” he said.”There is probably a market for these items, and this may very well be an organised syndicate responsible,” Angula said.”We’re right next to the Police, right next to the courts, and the City Police patrol this area regularly.But still they haven’t been able to catch these guys,” he said.Namibian Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu yesterday commented on the string of break-ins, in which he said more than 80 computers had been stolen so far.Since the beginning of last month, the victims of this crime spree have included the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Health, the Khomas Regional Council, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the Roessing Foundation, the Namibia Accountancy College and the IT distribution company Comztek.Last week, thieves broke into the offices of the Social Security Commission (SSC), although nothing was reported missing from there.The majority of these premises are permanently guarded.”It is quite worrisome, because as you know we have not been able to make even one arrest so far.We also don’t seem to know where the market is for these computers,” Angula said.Police were called to the scene immediately after the discovery of yesterday morning’s break-in, but by yesterday afternoon, a team that was to be sent there to collect fingerprints had not yet arrived.The Katutura Police station is right next to the union building.When employees of the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Natau) arrived at their offices yesterday, two of the offices were standing wide open, while another office belonging to the Namibia Farmworkers’ Union (Nafwu) had also been ransacked.First indications were that three computer monitors, a safe and a sound system had been stolen, along with about N$3 000 in cash that had been kept in a cashbox in one of the Natau offices.A photocopier that had been removed from one of the offices was found lying in the veld near the building.The thieves apparently gained entry into the yard by cutting a hole in the fence.A pair of pliers was later discovered in a tree outside the yard.Nafwu General Secretary Alfred Angula said the financial cost of the crime had not yet been calculated, but the data on the stolen computers was a major loss.”We’ve lost all our data system information, and unfortunately we did not keep any backups on CDs or USB [devices],” he said.”There is probably a market for these items, and this may very well be an organised syndicate responsible,” Angula said.”We’re right next to the Police, right next to the courts, and the City Police patrol this area regularly.But still they haven’t been able to catch these guys,” he said.Namibian Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu yesterday commented on the string of break-ins, in which he said more than 80 computers had been stolen so far.Since the beginning of last month, the victims of this crime spree have included the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Health, the Khomas Regional Council, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the Roessing Foundation, the Namibia Accountancy College and the IT distribution company Comztek.Last week, thieves broke into the offices of the Social Security Commission (SSC), although nothing was reported missing from there. The majority of these premises are permanently guarded.”It is quite worrisome, because as you know we have not been able to make even one arrest so far.We also don’t seem to know where the market is for these computers,” Angula said.Police were called to the scene immediately after the discovery of yesterday morning’s break-in, but by yesterday afternoon, a team that was to be sent there to collect fingerprints had not yet arrived.The Katutura Police station is right next to the union building.