Windhoek: Three men accused of robbing two tourists at a hotel in Otjiwarongo were on Wednesday remanded in police custody. Vevangaune Mungendje, 25, Willem Boois, 33, and 35-year-old Martin Stephanus appeared before Otjiwarongo Magistrate, Gianna Beukes, who explained their legal rights to engage a private lawyer of choice; conduct their own defence; or apply for a State-funded lawyer through the Ministry of Justice's Directorate of Legal Aid. They opted to represent themselves in court.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Public Prosecutor Wendy Nkando, who represented the State, strongly objected to the granting of bail, citing the severity of the charges. 'Investigations just started and the police officers are busy establishing whether the suspects have previous or pending similar robbery cases in Otjiwarongo or other towns,' Nkando said. The State also fears they could interfere with police investigations once released on bail, said Nkando.
The three suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. They were advised to file affidavits should they intend to apply for bail, and the matter was postponed to 11 November 2026 to allow for further police investigations. The court was informed that the incident occurred shortly after the tourists entered the hotel's parking area on Monday afternoon upon returning from Etosha National Park.
A grey sedan allegedly parked next to their vehicle and the suspects allegedly forced their way into the tourists' vehicle and grabbed bags containing money, cameras, chargers, passports and other items valued at more than N$97 000. The suspects allegedly then sped off along Langstraat and headed in the direction of Kalkfeld.
Police were alerted, and mobile roadblocks were set up along the Kalkfeld road, where the suspects' vehicle was subsequently intercepted and the men arrested. All the stolen items, including US$800 in cash, were recovered from the suspects' vehicle and handed back to the tourists. The suspects' vehicle was impounded.
The tourists, aged 59 and 53, entered Namibia from the United States of America on 05 September 2026.