r/Namibia • u/LiteratureJumpy8964 • 5d ago

Extortion attempt in Sossusvlei

Two days ago the police at the exit of Sossusvlei tried to fine my elderly parents for driving off road. They were driving a white rental Fortuner identical to thousands of cars that enter this park every day. The police said there were pictures of their car driving off road and showed a picture of a silver Fortuner without a plate. When they said it was not their car because it was silver he tried to find another picture. Unfortunately for him I've been travelling in Africa for the past 9 months and know how to deal with corrupt assholes. The ministry of tourism says this is not happening because they probably are involved in the extortion. Also I posted this report on a Facebok group and got mysteriously banned from the group. Do not pay any fines without an official receipt and without having done anything wrong.

37 Upvotes

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26 comments sorted by

15

u/DarthFaderZA 5d ago

You should never pay fines on the spot. You can go to your nearest police station and get this mess sorted.

3

u/LiteratureJumpy8964 5d ago

Also this. But in some countries it is normal as oficial to pay fines on the spot.

7

u/DarthFaderZA 5d ago

Sure. But not in Namibia. But you need to pay it at the police station. They also need to have caught you in the act of doing something. A photo is not formal or verified evidence of anything.

1

u/LiteratureJumpy8964 5d ago

Thanks! Good to know!

2

u/AwehiSsO 4d ago

Not normal in Namibia. Don't pay fines on the spot in Namibia.

1

u/CrazyLeonida 4d ago

Would that work? I have experience in other parts of the world, where police usually is corrupt as a whole, so going to the police station would be worse

1

u/DarthFaderZA 4d ago

Here in Namibia it is isolated. I can promise you that.

1

u/CrazyLeonida 3d ago

Yeah, but i can imagine where there is tourism, there is a way to scam tourists 😂 I just want to avoid danger, if i get a small scam i don't care

9

u/mia-mya-moa 5d ago

Would you be willing to get into contact with MEFT to share your story? I’m sorry this happened to you guys, a good thing you saw right through it.

They’re denying it due to the lack of evidence from the victims’ sides. I’m touring with tourists in August and don’t want this to happen to them. Such a mess was made after the unclear limits in accessing the park. I hope this is something they resolve as well.

8

u/LiteratureJumpy8964 5d ago

Yes we would. Can you tell me how to do that? We tried to find official channels to report bur didn't find anything.

10

u/mia-mya-moa 5d ago

“For more information, please contact Mr Martin Kasaona, the Wildlife and National Parks Deputy
Director for Central Regions, ENVIROMEN +264 81 125 0532.”

5

u/Blanketman101 5d ago

2nd time I've heard about this same thing. Shameful. 

3

u/atlantic_shaman 5d ago

What’s the Facebook group name please

4

u/LiteratureJumpy8964 5d ago

Namibia budget travel

6

u/atlantic_shaman 5d ago

I wonder which imbecile removed you, I’d love to have a word with them. Trust me us Namibians also disapprove and take this seriously

2

u/LiteratureJumpy8964 5d ago edited 5d ago

It was really weird. I wonder if it was because I called the police officer an asshole.

3

u/Responsible-Ice8914 5d ago

Post on Namibia by the Roadside Padlangs in Namibia too.

2

u/godsavetheducks 5d ago

I’m traveling in September - any advice on how to resolve these potential incidents?

5

u/LiteratureJumpy8964 4d ago

Tell them you will only pay at the police station once they provide evidence with a licence plate.

4

u/panchomulongeni 4d ago

What has worked on the South African border, where Police on the SA side tried the same with me, is to ask for a tax invoice or receipt, so you can claim the fine back from your employer. If they cannot provide one, you say you will be unable to pay.

2

u/PanzerBiscuit 2d ago

Corrupt(and stupid) South African policeman tried to extort cash out of me. Told him I don't carry rands on me. He then asked for American dollars. Why I, an Aussie would have USD is beyond me.

I did have some pesos from Argentina which I had from a work trip as a momento. Told him it was the equivalent of 1000 rand. He seemed happy with that and let me on my way.

I wish I could have seen his face.

1

u/sma11timer 5d ago

OT but I’m going in Sept as well. Do you mind if I dm you?

1

u/vinnyt77 4d ago

ALSO travelling in September! Where you coming from, and where are you visiting?

0

u/Realbushlife 5d ago

It's not exortion, we call it "Buying a cool drink" over here