N$350 000 theft at NIMT

THIEVES stole N$350 00 in cash during a burglary at the head office of the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) in Arandis at the beginning of this month.

According to a press release by NIMT Executive Director Eckart Mueller, the burglars smashed a window and disabled the alarm.The money for registration, accommodation and transport of trainees was locked in a safe, he said.’It seems that the thief or thieves must have used a duplicate key to gain entrance to the safe. Only two official keys exist: one with me, and one with my personal assistant,’ he said.It is believed that the key of Mueller’s PA was with her at her home in Swakopmund, while his key was with him in Tsumeb, according to Mueller.The Police could find no fingerprints of the burglars.’Whoever stole the money seemed to have been previously employed by NIMT, or is well informed about the NIMT procedures as such, or is still in its employment,’ Mueller said.The NIMT management has offered a reward of N$20 000 for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.’No one has been arrested yet, and so the reward is still standing,’ Mueller told The Namibian yesterday.’I received some calls but nothing has come up. We are still optimistic for a breakthrough soon, though.’Anyone with information can contact Detective Warrant Officer Litota of the Walvis Bay Police at 081 256 5757 or (064) 41 5050, or Mueller at 081 128 5101, (064) 51 1800 (w) or (064) 46 1392 (h).