Massive theft from cash loan company

FOUR employees of a local cash-loans company found themselves in the dock of the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after they were arrested last week for the alleged theft of more than N$700 000.

Justina Mwendela, Raphael Muhongo, Frans Gervasius and Nadia Heather Beukes were arrested on Thursday after it was allegedly discovered that they had stolen N$700 510 from their employer, Pika Quick Loans, over a period of at least a year. Exactly how the alleged crimes were committed could not be established yesterday.Pika owner Albert Piechazek referred all questions to his lawyer.In a courtroom filled with relatives and friends of the four, Gervasius and Beukes were yesterday granted bail of N$7 000.To the displeasure of legal representatives who tried to obtain the same bail amount for Mwendela and Muhongo, their bail was set at N$20 000.As part of their bail conditions, all four were ordered to hand over their travel documents and to report to the Windhoek Police station three times a week.They’ve been given a list of witnesses with whom they may not communicate, and they may not leave the Windhoek district without the permission of their investigating officer.The case will return to court on November 22.Police sources have indicated that more arrests cannot be ruled out.Exactly how the alleged crimes were committed could not be established yesterday.Pika owner Albert Piechazek referred all questions to his lawyer.In a courtroom filled with relatives and friends of the four, Gervasius and Beukes were yesterday granted bail of N$7 000.To the displeasure of legal representatives who tried to obtain the same bail amount for Mwendela and Muhongo, their bail was set at N$20 000.As part of their bail conditions, all four were ordered to hand over their travel documents and to report to the Windhoek Police station three times a week.They’ve been given a list of witnesses with whom they may not communicate, and they may not leave the Windhoek district without the permission of their investigating officer.The case will return to court on November 22.Police sources have indicated that more arrests cannot be ruled out.