Bank Windhoek has issued a statement aimed at clearing up mounting confusion around the current fraud and theft case involving a former employee at its Opuwo Branch.

Bank Windhoek Managing Director Baronice Hans says they have taken note of the increasing misinterpretation of facts surrounding the incident that happened on January 13, leading to confusion regarding the amounts involved. 

Hans states that there was an initial attempted theft of N$200 million by the suspect, Nico Rebebe.

However, she credits the bank's robust security protocols, strong internal controls, established thresholds, and vigilance on the part of employees for thwarting that attempt.

The bank's confirmed loss, which could only be confirmed in the days following the incident, amounts to just below 2 million dollars.
 
The communication follows the first court appearance on Friday of six men now linked to the case, who were arrested at Rundu this past week.

It is alleged that the six were approached by Rebebe with promises of farm jobs, though with the requirement that they first open accounts with Bank Windhoek, through which their monthly payments would be facilitated.

Bank Windhoek is offering a reward of N$20,000 to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the main suspect.