Shebeen owner accused of not paying out N$7 000 jackpot

Windhoek resident Frans Amukwaya (38) says he has not been paid after winning N$7 000 at a shebeen in Windhoek’s China Town area on 25 November.

“The police, who are supposed to protect people, are robbing people,” he says.

Amukwaya says the shebeen owner is also a police officer.

“He is abusing his power because they are high-ranking officers,” he says.

Amukwaya says he has gambled N$700 at the shebeen, losing before hitting the jackpot. 

He says he has been gambling for over 10 years and usually wins.

“The following day, I was told the jackpot machine owner removed the jackpots from the shebeen, claiming a gambler had tampered with the machines. I just want my money because this is not right,” he says.

When contacted for comment this week, police inspector general Joseph Shikongo said the police do not take on civil cases such as this one.

“Nobody is above the law. However, the police are allowed to own businesses beyond their working capacities as long as their registered businesses are licensed, with permission granted by the inspector general and minister, and the trade is a lawful business,” he said.

The alleged owner of the shebeen’s jackpot machines, only known as ‘Pius’, has denied owning the machines, saying they do not belong to him.

He referred The Namibian to the shebeen owner.

However, the shebeen owner, who does not want to be named, claims Pius has removed the machines.

“And he is no longer taking my calls,” he says.

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