Former security guard sent to jail for four years

WINDHOEK, 31 JULY  – A former security guard arrested at Otjiwarongo in August last year with over N$550 000 in cash belonging to different businesses in Windhoek, was on Tuesday sent to jail for an effective four years.
Jonas Simon Mbangu, 42, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on a charge of theft of money, of which four years were suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of theft of money during the period of suspension.
In the result, Mbangu was sent to jail for an effective four years after he pleaded guilty to the charge of theft.
Regional Court Magistrate Alexis Diergaardt handed down the punishment.
Public Prosecutor Fillemon Nyau represented the State in the matter.
According to the police, the stolen money was collected by Mbangu in the morning hours of 14 August 2017 from the Windhoek-based businesses for banking.

Evidence presented during trial has it that Mbangu, a former employee of the Southern Cross Security Company, however, abandoned the company vehicle and fled to northern Namibia with the money.
The owner of the security company became suspicious when it took too long for the guard to return with the money to their office in Windhoek and reported the incident to the police.
A police roadblock was then set up on the A1 road outside Otjiwarongo.
Police arrested Mbangu with the money on 15 August 2017.
A total of N$556 134.75 was found stashed in three plastic bags in the boot of the car he was travelling in.
Mbangu was represented by a State-funded defence lawyer.
NAMPA