Zoom meeting saves couple’s lives

The three men that allegedly attacked two senior citizens in their Ocean View home in Swakopmund on Tuesday morning made a first appearance in the Swakopmund magistrate’s court yesterday (Thursday) on charges of housebreaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

They were identified as 36-year-old Andreas Kaushi (36), Stephanus Ivula (25) and Dorien Iyambo (21). The trio were refused bail.
One of the victims of the attack, Riaan Booysen (67) were seriously injured as the assailants mercilessly attacked him with a panga and a table leg, they obtained by destroying a coffee table.
Booysen’s right eye was damaged in the attack and will require medical treatment by specialists.
What started as a relaxed Tuesday morning for Mr Booysen and his life partner Lizette Rossouw (65) in Ocean View’s Agapanthus Street, turned into an instant nightmare.
When Booysen was leaving the house at around 08:00 he encountered three men, one who was armed with a panga. They forced Booysen back into the house.
Mrs Rossouw was busy with her morning exercises as part of an exercise group tuning in on Zoom every morning, when the thugs took hold of her.
The thugs demanded money and other valuables, all the while mercilessly assaulting Booysen. He was hit with the panga several times and a small coffee table was destroyed in order to get hold of the table feet as additional weapons to carry out the horrendous, and cowardly attack.
What saved the couple’s lives were the zoom meeting. One of the people on the group heard the commotion and informed the neighbourhood watch.
The robbers fled the scene by jumping over the boundary fence of the home. One of the robbers injured a leg in the process. They stole three cell phones, a tablet, a wrist watch and N$500 cash.
With the neighbourhood watch alerted, law enforcement and an ambulance were promptly on the scene.
After a search of the area, the three assailants were apprehended. With the exception of N$260 in cash, all the stolen items were also recovered.
During their court appearance yesterday, Iyambo also pleaded guilty. He will now apply for legal aid.
Kaushi and Ivula pleaded not guilty and indicated they will defend themselves in the criminal trial.
The accused are held in custody in Walvis Bay and will return to court in September.