By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Five policemen and a civilian landed themselves in hot water on charges of robbery. They are currently out on bail of N$1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 each after appearing in the Katutura Magistrates Court last Thursday. The court charge sheet lists the accused as Choalin Tjitemisa, Chris Garoeb, Ambrosius Goagoseb, Gerson Narib, Moses Akrikaaner and Richard Goagoseb. Police investigations continue while detectives are still looking for two more suspects. It all happened at a house in Katutura two weeks ago in what was supposed to be a hand-over of a tourmaline parcel, but was in fact a parcel containing “something that looked like diamonds,” and ended up in the robbery by four police officers and two civilians. According to Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu, who confirmed the case, the incident occurred at Erf No.ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 3885 in David Goraseb Street in Katutura, where a civilian called a certain Jan Adam Petrus Koekemoer to come and buy a parcel of tourmaline semi-precious stones from him. The civilian had reportedly informed the owner of the house earlier that day that there would be some dealings going on at his property. “Adam Koekemoer was told to come and buy the tourmaline parcel in Katutura but, when he opened the parcel, they were not tourmalines but something that looked like diamonds. He refused to take the parcel because it was not what he was looking for,” explained Chief Inspector Amulungu. While the two were busy negotiating, five other people stormed into the room and ordered them to lie down on the floor, saying they were police officers. The five intruders started to search the men and ordered Koekemoer to give them N$30ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 up front in cash. Koekemoer replied that he did not have the money on him, upon which the five intruders robbed him of the little cash he had. “They removed N$600 from his pockets and a garnet gem worth N$4ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. Yet they were not satisfied and maybe persuaded him to go to Bank Windhoek to issue them with a cheque instead,” added Chief Inspector Amulungu. The so-called policemen then dashed off with the money and one valuable gemstone that belonged to Koekemoer. Amulungu said that the parcel with the “so-called diamonds” that was presented to Koekemoer also vanished. The next day, Koekemoer went to lay a charge of robbery and positively identified two of the suspects at an identification parade, while the other two willingly surrendered. They were arrested on January 15. The Police Discipline and Complaints Unit will be issuing suspension hearings against the police officers while investigations continue. All the accused, who are currently out on bail, were issued with conditions – they may not leave the district of Windhoek without the permission of Constable Nestor of the Complaints and Discipline Unit. The case has been postponed to April 27 to make room for further investi- gations.