Swakop gym boss re-arrested

THE controversial gym boss at Swakopmund, who allegedly secretly filmed women in the changing rooms at Genesis Health and Fitness club, was re-arrested by the Police last week.

Bail granted to Heinz Laube (29) after his first court appearance on August 11 was withdrawn on Wednesday. He was arrested and imprisoned when the Police received a tip-off that he had applied for a passport.Laube was arrested after a video containing footage of nude women and young girls in the gyms dressing room was handed to the Police by the parents of one of the girls on the video.At least six under-aged girls are allegedly shown nude in the 45-minute video.Laube faces charges of crimen injuria and his original bail conditions required him to hand in his passport and report to the Police station twice a week.When he revealed that he did not have a passport, his bail conditions were changed to reporting to the Police station between 08h00 and 10h00 on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Erongo Regional Crime Co-ordinator, told The Namibian he would remain in prison until his second appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrates court on Thursday.He said Laube had the right to apply for bail again.However, Philander was doubtful whether bail would be granted.Laube paid N$2 000 when he was released the first time.The fact that he was granted bail angered shocked residents.”There is no place for such a person in the community,” said a resident.Laube, who is a partner in the gym situated at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, allegedly removed a light fitting and mounted a video camera in the ceiling of the womens dressing room.Since Laube’s first appearance in court, young women who went to the gym regularly have contacted the Women and Child Protection Unit of the Police to find out if they appear on the video.Laubes house was apparently searched and his computer equipment confiscated for further investigation.The three men charged with extortion for allegedly blackmailing Laube by demanding thousands of dollars will appear on Wednesday.They were allegedly in possession of the video when they demanded money from Laube.He was arrested and imprisoned when the Police received a tip-off that he had applied for a passport.Laube was arrested after a video containing footage of nude women and young girls in the gyms dressing room was handed to the Police by the parents of one of the girls on the video.At least six under-aged girls are allegedly shown nude in the 45-minute video.Laube faces charges of crimen injuria and his original bail conditions required him to hand in his passport and report to the Police station twice a week.When he revealed that he did not have a passport, his bail conditions were changed to reporting to the Police station between 08h00 and 10h00 on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.Chief Inspector Sydney Philander, Erongo Regional Crime Co-ordinator, told The Namibian he would remain in prison until his second appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrates court on Thursday.He said Laube had the right to apply for bail again.However, Philander was doubtful whether bail would be granted.Laube paid N$2 000 when he was released the first time.The fact that he was granted bail angered shocked residents.”There is no place for such a person in the community,” said a resident.Laube, who is a partner in the gym situated at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, allegedly removed a light fitting and mounted a video camera in the ceiling of the womens dressing room.Since Laube’s first appearance in court, young women who went to the gym regularly have contacted the Women and Child Protection Unit of the Police to find out if they appear on the video.Laubes house was apparently searched and his computer equipment confiscated for further investigation.The three men charged with extortion for allegedly blackmailing Laube by demanding thousands of dollars will appear on Wednesday.They were allegedly in possession of the video when they demanded money from Laube.