‘Streetwise’ banker wanted for Opuwo theft

A frantic manhunt is on for Bank Windhoek employee Nico Hijendepi Rebebe, who is feared to have slipped into Angola with the help of an ex-employee of the same bank. Both men are accused of masterminding theft from the bank’s Opuwo branch, with Rebebe allegedly striking this past Saturday. In 2021, police arrested Frans Hosea Megameno (33), who allegedly stole N$729 800.Rebebe and Megameno worked together at the Opuwo branch before the latter was fired and criminally charged for his alleged theft.Police are investigating allegations that the duo planned Saturday’s heist together.After the Namibian Police reported last weekend that Rebebe stole N$200 million, the bank released a statement on Sunday evening, with managing director Baronice Hans saying the stolen money amounts to less than N$2 million.The police, who came under heavy criticism for announcing the amount as N$200 million, insisted that it was Bank Windhoek who initially reported such an amount.“Please understand that the information shared [by the Namibian Police] was shared as obtained from the complainant [Bank Windhoek] on that particular date, including the figures,” police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, told journalists on Monday.“We are, however, glad that after the investigation was launched, the same complainant rectified the figures in their press release.”SuspiciousAccording to an industry source, it’s “suspicious” that the bank changed its version of the amount stolen. “It’s a big reputational risk for them, more so because they are a listed entity whose share price can be massively affected.”A Namibian Sun visit to Opuwo this week uncovered Rebebe’s allegedly wild social life, which is suspected to have fuelled his lust for money.He and Megameno were allegedly spotted together in Opuwo over the festive season, while Rebebe reportedly also provides his former colleague with accommodation when he comes to town for court proceedings emanating from the 2021 theft.Early birdRebebe, an administrative clerk at the bank, is alleged to have transferred the money into two bank accounts last Saturday. By virtue of his position, which is quite senior at branch level, he reportedly had more admin access to bank systems.“He used his access to make it look like two people made deposits of N$1 million each. The system shows these were deposits, but actual records show they were internal transfers,” a source said.On the day of the alleged theft, Rebebe clocked in at around 07:00, making him the very first person to report for duty.At around 08:00 when his colleagues arrived, he allegedly went to a nearby shop and then proceeded to a well-known local restaurant, where he bought beer “to calm his nerves”.He returned to the bank and after he made the two transactions, he reportedly went outside and started making calls. It is suspected these calls were to other members of a syndicate, for them to start withdrawing money at ATMs across the country.After returning inside, Rebebe allegedly unplugged the telephone lines, while the CCTV cameras were also tampered with.At around 11:30, he then informed his colleagues that he was stepping out. He left with a backpack that purportedly contained N$500 000 in cash.Hours laterThe theft was only detected two hours after the transaction, officials close to the matter said.“The way banks work is that you can only detect anomalies when people start reconciling transactions made that day, and that usually only happens when the bank has been closed to customers,” an industry insider said. In this case, the transactions were detected due to being above the allowed threshold.When the suspicious transactions were detected, bank officials in Windhoek attempted to call Opuwo, but they could not get hold of anyone due to the telephone being unplugged.By the time they got hold of their northern colleagues, Rebebe had disappeared. It is understood that two other men are wanted in connection with the incident. Who is Rebebe?Originally from Opuwo, Rebebe completed grade 12 at Outjo Secondary School in 2014. He was born in July 1993.One of his former teachers said: “He was very smart; not academically, but street smart. He wasn&#039;t a troublesome learner”.Another educator remarked: “He was a learner who smiled a lot when he was found doing something wrong. He smiled to neutralise the situation”. – Additional reporting by Toivo Ndjebela.kenya@namibiansun.com

‘Streetwise’ banker wanted for Opuwo theft

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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‘Streetwise’ banker wanted for Opuwo theft

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

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