Cops still on trail of the Louis Botha taxi robbers

POLICE remain on the trail of a Windhoek taxi driver who fled the scene of a robbery on two Canadian tourists on Thursday night last week.
The suspect, who was traced through the address posted on the white Honda station wagon he was driving, has not returned home since the incident, the Police say.

The Windhoek City Police shot dead an alleged accomplice, identified as 24-year-old Veiniki Shomagwe, at the scene of the crime.Namibian Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Stephan Nuuyi said yesterday that a third suspect is also being sought, and is believed to have fled the crime scene near the Louis Botha cafe along with the driver. The owner of the taxi is believed to have been away in the North of the country at the time.The incident happened at around 18h30 on Thursday, as two Canadian women were returning to a bed-and-breakfast establishment.One of the suspects allegedly jumped out of the taxi and grabbed a handbag from one of the women before jumping back into the car, which sped off.Members of the Windhoek City Police were patrolling the area, and gave chase.They shot out the left rear wheel and the rear window of the taxi. A bullet hit Shomagwe in the back.City Police Chief Abraham Kanime said this week that the taxi would be handed back to the owner despite the ongoing criminal investigation, given a lack of legislature that could see the vehicle impounded.’Some of these taxis are even driving around with visible bullet holes,’ a frustrated Kanime told The Namibian on Monday, referring to the increased instances of taxis being used in criminal activities around the city.* See also interview on page 5