Nude gym video saga has Swakopmund residents reeling

RESIDENTS at Swakopmund were stunned yesterday as news spread of the gymnasium boss who has allegedly been filming females in the dressing room of the Genesis gym.

The Namibian obtained information that at least six under-aged girls are allegedly shown nude in the 45-minute video. Heinz Laube (29), who appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a provisional charge of crimen injuria, allegedly removed a light fitting in the women’s dressing room and mounted a video camera in the ceiling, a source said.The images on the video are apparently not static and move around the room, as female patrons of the gym dress and undress.It appears as if the footage was taken during December and January.”I am still reeling from shock,” said a resident.”This is horrific.”Another said it was totally unacceptable.A man who goes to the gym on a regular basis expressed outrage.”We love the gym, but this news is not good.”He said if it emerged that men were also filmed, he would definitely stop going there.Laube, who appeared without a legal representative, was released on N$2 000 bail under the condition that he report to the Police station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 08h00 and 10h00.The conditions were changed yesterday when he revealed that he did not have a passport.The original conditions required him to hand in his passport and report to the Police twice a week.”We are very disappointed that he was released on bail,” said an upset resident.”There is no place for such a person in the community.”The Police said Laube was allegedly blackmailed by three men who were in possession of the video.They are members of the gym and got hold of the video in the gym.When they allegedly demanded thousands of dollars from Laube, he went to the Police to charge them with extortion.The parents of one of the girls in the video handed the video to the Police and he was charged with crimen injuria.Michael Oxurub (25), Mervin Dennis (22) and Louwnan Nangombe (22) appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of extortion.They each received bail of N$500 and the case was postponed to September 8.They are not allowed to make contact with Laube.Laube’s case has been postponed to September 9.More than one person was allegedly involved in the filming of the video, said a source.It is possible that another arrest will be made.The Genesis gym, situated at a local hotel and entertainment complex, was open for business yesterday.The gym is regularly frequented by tourists as well.It was also popular among actors of the Hollywood movie ‘Flight of the Phoenix’.Heinz Laube (29), who appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a provisional charge of crimen injuria, allegedly removed a light fitting in the women’s dressing room and mounted a video camera in the ceiling, a source said.The images on the video are apparently not static and move around the room, as female patrons of the gym dress and undress.It appears as if the footage was taken during December and January.”I am still reeling from shock,” said a resident.”This is horrific.”Another said it was totally unacceptable.A man who goes to the gym on a regular basis expressed outrage.”We love the gym, but this news is not good.”He said if it emerged that men were also filmed, he would definitely stop going there.Laube, who appeared without a legal representative, was released on N$2 000 bail under the condition that he report to the Police station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 08h00 and 10h00.The conditions were changed yesterday when he revealed that he did not have a passport.The original conditions required him to hand in his passport and report to the Police twice a week.”We are very disappointed that he was released on bail,” said an upset resident.”There is no place for such a person in the community.”The Police said Laube was allegedly blackmailed by three men who were in possession of the video.They are members of the gym and got hold of the video in the gym.When they allegedly demanded thousands of dollars from Laube, he went to the Police to charge them with extortion.The parents of one of the girls in the video handed the video to the Police and he was charged with crimen injuria.Michael Oxurub (25), Mervin Dennis (22) and Louwnan Nangombe (22) appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge of extortion.They each received bail of N$500 and the case was postponed to September 8.They are not allowed to make contact with Laube.Laube’s case has been postponed to September 9.More than one person was allegedly involved in the filming of the video, said a source.It is possible that another arrest will be made.The Genesis gym, situated at a local hotel and entertainment complex, was open for business yesterday.The gym is regularly frequented by tourists as well.It was also popular among actors of the Hollywood movie ‘Flight of the Phoenix’.