A woman identified as Rosalia Mbangula, an employee at Hungry Lion Wernhil, has shared a terrifying account of how she was robbed and assaulted after boarding what she believed to be a taxi on the night of June 27, 2025.
According to Mbangula, the incident occurred shortly after she left work at around 8:30 p.m. While waiting near the traffic lights outside the new Wernhil complex, she and another woman who works at Food Lovers Market were approached by a black Mazda Demio that stopped and offered them a ride to Goreangab, where both passengers reside.
Once inside the vehicle, Mbangula said there were three men already in the car two seated in front and one at the back. Instead of heading directly toward Goreangab, the car diverted toward Windhoek North. It was then that the men demanded the women’s phones.
“I was scared and didn’t know what to do. When I refused to hand over my phone, they started beating me,” Mbangula recalled.
She said the attackers assaulted her severely, forcing her to unlock her phone and banking app. The men then withdrew N$7,000 from her FNB savings account, in addition to her monthly salary of about N$5,000.
“They kept threatening to rape and kill me if I didn’t cooperate,” she said.
Mbangula further explained that when the car reached an ATM near Goreangab, the driver instructed her to remove her work jacket and hat, which he then wore to disguise himself while making withdrawals. Meanwhile, the other two suspects remained in the vehicle, keeping the victims under threat.
After withdrawing the money, the suspects drove the women to the Kupomba area in Goreangab, where they were forced out of the car. Dazed and injured, they managed to reach a nearby bar and called Mbangula’s sister for help. The incident was later reported to the Wanaheda Police Station, where a case was opened.
Despite filing a report, Mbangula says she is still waiting for justice.
“All I need is justice for what happened to me because, up to now, nothing has been done,” she said.
Police investigations into the robbery are ongoing. The City of Windhoek and the City Police have launched an e-Portal and mobile application that allows residents and visitors to verify taxi registration details before boarding. This digital system aims to improve commuter safety by confirming whether a taxi is legitimate and officially registered.Officials have strongly recommended that all Windhoek residents and visitors register and use the platform for their personal safety.
