Mystery mortar found in Swakop home

A SWAKOPMUND real estate agent says the Police reacted in record time on Monday when she informed them of a “bomb” discovered in an empty rental house.

“They responded really fast,” said Bianka Meyer, owner of Places Real Estate, yesterday. “First four Police officers arrived and later more came.”Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Erongo Regional Crime Co-ordinator, confirmed yesterday that members of the task force removed a mortar bomb found at the house in Omeg Street.He said it was harmless, though, as it was only the shell.”There are still people walking around with the shells of bombs, which they have found somewhere,” said Philander.He did not have detail of the make of the mortar bomb or where it could have come from.Meyer said when the Police arrived at the house, they had a manual of different types of bombs to try and identify it.She said they did not cordon the house off.”I stood next to them when they looked at it.”The owner of the house, who lives in Windhoek, discovered the shell in a built-in cupboard when she visited over the weekend.The house had been standing empty for two months after the previous tenants “left in a hurry, still owing rental money”.”They left the house in such a mess, so I decided only to clean it once new tenants were found,” said Meyer.The Police asked many questions about the previous tenants.Meyer suspected they might have left for Australia, as the man was originally from there.Meyer said the owner was rather upset about the discovery.The Police have removed the mortar shell from the house.”First four Police officers arrived and later more came.”Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Erongo Regional Crime Co-ordinator, confirmed yesterday that members of the task force removed a mortar bomb found at the house in Omeg Street.He said it was harmless, though, as it was only the shell.”There are still people walking around with the shells of bombs, which they have found somewhere,” said Philander.He did not have detail of the make of the mortar bomb or where it could have come from.Meyer said when the Police arrived at the house, they had a manual of different types of bombs to try and identify it.She said they did not cordon the house off.”I stood next to them when they looked at it.”The owner of the house, who lives in Windhoek, discovered the shell in a built-in cupboard when she visited over the weekend.The house had been standing empty for two months after the previous tenants “left in a hurry, still owing rental money”.”They left the house in such a mess, so I decided only to clean it once new tenants were found,” said Meyer.The Police asked many questions about the previous tenants.Meyer suspected they might have left for Australia, as the man was originally from there.Meyer said the owner was rather upset about the discovery.The Police have removed the mortar shell from the house.