Reward offered for Epacha robbers

POLICE are still searching for two suspects in the Epacha Lodge case, where robbers ransacked a number of bungalows at the Outjo-based lodge earlier this month.

The robbers made off with foreign tourists’ valuables, money and travel documents estimated to be worth N$250 000. The CEO of Leading Lodges of Africa, Werner Beddies, told The Namibian this week that the company was offering a reward of N$10 000 to any person who comes forth with information on the whereabouts of Elifas Mashuna, also known as Elifas Kakiya, and one other accomplice.Mashuna’s driver’s licence and a bail receipt from a previous criminal charge were found in an overturned red Hyundai suspected to be the getaway vehicle for the lodge robbers.Mashuna is suspected to have been the driver of the vehicle.Three suspects have been arrested so far, and made their first court appearances on Monday.Those in Police custody have been identified as Paulus Amadhila, Christof Ikuuti and Titus Nekamba Tjombe.One of the suspects told Police there were five of them involved in the robbery.The fifth suspect was said to be an ex-employee at Epacha Lodge, and was described as slightly built and middle aged, although appearing younger.After the robbery the suspects reportedly loaded the stolen goods (wrapped in pillowcases), in the trunk of the Hyundai and made off towards Kamanjab.On the way there they had a flat tyre, and Mashuna allegedly told his accomplices to wait next to the road while he went to the service station to inflate the wheel.He did not return, and later phoned them to say that he had overturned the car and that Police were in the area.He said he had injured his arm in the accident.Police have taken blood samples from the vehicle, and are now hoping to trace Mashuna before his wounds heal.According to discoveries made by a private investigator hired by the owners of Epacha Lodge, Mashuna had visited the Police station in Windhoek the morning after the Epacha break-in.He reported that he had lent his car to a friend, who had then been involved in an accident with it.The officer then phoned Police at Kamanjab who confirmed the accident, and Mashuna left the Police station.When shown a photograph of the suspect, the officer confirmed that Mashuna had been the person who had come to see him.The officer reported that he had not arrested Mashuma, as he did not appear to have any obvious injuries.From evidence found in the overturned vehicle, those involved in the investigation say that they suspect the Epacha robbers to have been involved in three other robberies that took place at Outjo since October 30.The first of these was at Karibu Bottle Store, where N$88 000 in cash was stolen.The suspects had broken through the roof of the store, and broke open a red-painted safe with a hammer.While inspecting the overturned vehicle, Police discovered a hammer with red paint marks on the hammer head, and which looked to be the same size tool as had been used in the bottle store burglary.According to Karibu owner Andre Strausse, Police have taken samples of the paint on the safe for laboratory testing.The CEO of Leading Lodges of Africa, Werner Beddies, told The Namibian this week that the company was offering a reward of N$10 000 to any person who comes forth with information on the whereabouts of Elifas Mashuna, also known as Elifas Kakiya, and one other accomplice.Mashuna’s driver’s licence and a bail receipt from a previous criminal charge were found in an overturned red Hyundai suspected to be the getaway vehicle for the lodge robbers.Mashuna is suspected to have been the driver of the vehicle.Three suspects have been arrested so far, and made their first court appearances on Monday.Those in Police custody have been identified as Paulus Amadhila, Christof Ikuuti and Titus Nekamba Tjombe. One of the suspects told Police there were five of them involved in the robbery.The fifth suspect was said to be an ex-employee at Epacha Lodge, and was described as slightly built and middle aged, although appearing younger.After the robbery the suspects reportedly loaded the stolen goods (wrapped in pillowcases), in the trunk of the Hyundai and made off towards Kamanjab.On the way there they had a flat tyre, and Mashuna allegedly told his accomplices to wait next to the road while he went to the service station to inflate the wheel.He did not return, and later phoned them to say that he had overturned the car and that Police were in the area.He said he had injured his arm in the accident. Police have taken blood samples from the vehicle, and are now hoping to trace Mashuna before his wounds heal.According to discoveries made by a private investigator hired by the owners of Epacha Lodge, Mashuna had visited the Police station in Windhoek the morning after the Epacha break-in.He reported that he had lent his car to a friend, who had then been involved in an accident with it.The officer then phoned Police at Kamanjab who confirmed the accident, and Mashuna left the Police station.When shown a photograph of the suspect, the officer confirmed that Mashuna had been the person who had come to see him.The officer reported that he had not arrested Mashuma, as he did not appear to have any obvious injuries.From evidence found in the overturned vehicle, those involved in the investigation say that they suspect the Epacha robbers to have been involved in three other robberies that took place at Outjo since October 30.The first of these was at Karibu Bottle Store, where N$88 000 in cash was stolen.The suspects had broken through the roof of the store, and broke open a red-painted safe with a hammer.While inspecting the overturned vehicle, Police discovered a hammer with red paint marks on the hammer head, and which looked to be the same size tool as had been used in the bottle store burglary.According to Karibu owner Andre Strausse, Police have taken samples of the paint on the safe for laboratory testing.