Money not motive in Council burglary

COMPUTER equipment and other items were stolen from 27 offices at the Khomas Regional Council in Windhoek, either on Wednesday night or early yesterday morning.

The break-in follows a similar incident, which happened over the weekend at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s offices in Windhoek’s Northern Industrial area. Chief Regional Officer Shikwetepo Haindongo yesterday confirmed the robbery.He said it was suspected that at least half a million dollars worth of computer equipment had been stolen.It appears that the thieves gained access to the premises by climbing over the northern fence wall, and breaking the locks to the building with an unknown object.The building is protected by permanent security staff, Haindongo said, and an investigation had been launched into how the thieves managed to execute their plan without being spotted.”The last person who left the office at 21h30, and who was responsible for locking up, maintains that he locked everything, including the electric gate.But this morning, when the first staff arrived at the building, the electric gate was open,” he said.It appears that 18 computer hard drives, six flat screen monitors, one digital camera, a tape recorder, one pair of woman’s shoes and some compact discs were stolen.Also missing is a brand-new pre-paid water system, which was intended for use in rural areas.According to information provided by the Regional Council, this system alone is worth N$300 000.”What’s strange is that there was even money found in some of the offices.In one office there was more than N$2 000 found lying in a desk drawer, and this had not been taken,” Haindongo said.Police yesterday refrained from speculating on whether or not this break-in could be connected to the one at Environment over the weekend.In that break-in, which appears to have taken place some time on Sunday, 19 computers and flat screen monitors were stolen.The thieves entered the premises by forcing open the door to the fire escape in a back room.No arrest or recovery has been made in either case.Chief Regional Officer Shikwetepo Haindongo yesterday confirmed the robbery.He said it was suspected that at least half a million dollars worth of computer equipment had been stolen.It appears that the thieves gained access to the premises by climbing over the northern fence wall, and breaking the locks to the building with an unknown object.The building is protected by permanent security staff, Haindongo said, and an investigation had been launched into how the thieves managed to execute their plan without being spotted.”The last person who left the office at 21h30, and who was responsible for locking up, maintains that he locked everything, including the electric gate.But this morning, when the first staff arrived at the building, the electric gate was open,” he said.It appears that 18 computer hard drives, six flat screen monitors, one digital camera, a tape recorder, one pair of woman’s shoes and some compact discs were stolen.Also missing is a brand-new pre-paid water system, which was intended for use in rural areas.According to information provided by the Regional Council, this system alone is worth N$300 000.”What’s strange is that there was even money found in some of the offices.In one office there was more than N$2 000 found lying in a desk drawer, and this had not been taken,” Haindongo said.Police yesterday refrained from speculating on whether or not this break-in could be connected to the one at Environment over the weekend.In that break-in, which appears to have taken place some time on Sunday, 19 computers and flat screen monitors were stolen.The thieves entered the premises by forcing open the door to the fire escape in a back room.No arrest or recovery has been made in either case.