Renthia Kaimbi
The ministry of industries, mines and energy has referred allegations of corruption, bribery and irregular diamond exports involving Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) chief executive officer Brent Eiseb, Diamond Controller Inspector Vernosius Ndahutuka, an official within the ministry and a privately owned diamond company to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for investigation.
In a media statement dated 2 November 2026, line minister Modestus Amutse confirmed that he referred the allegations and materials circulating on social media to the Director-General of the ACC on 30 October, requesting an independent investigation.
The allegations, brought to public attention by activist Michael Amushelelo, claim that Eiseb, Ndahutuka and an unnamed official within the ministry received financial and other benefits from a diamond company in exchange for facilitating access to large quantities of high-quality diamonds from NDTC and allowing the export of rough diamonds without local processing.
Eiseb has since been placed on precautionary leave by the NDTC board pending investigations, while Amutse confirmed that Ndahutuka is also being investigated, according to the recent media reports.
According to the allegations, the company allegedly provided the officials with access to its bank cards, allowing them to withdraw money instead of receiving traditional cash envelopes.
The company is further alleged to have purchased two properties in Swakopmund, one reportedly occupied by Eiseb and the other used by Ndahutuka.
Although the properties allegedly remain registered in the company’s name, the individuals are said to cover municipal bills, body corporate fees and penalty charges associated with the properties.
Eiseb is also alleged to have purchased a Volkswagen Amarok through Autohaus using the company’s foreign bank card.
Further allegations claim that Eiseb is in a business partnership with Ndahutuka.
The alleged benefits are said to have been provided in exchange for preferential treatment that enabled the company to obtain diamonds from NDTC and export rough diamonds out of Namibia without first processing them locally.
Ndahutuka is separately accused of enabling several other diamond companies to circumvent local processing requirements by declaring artificially low values for rough diamonds before exporting them.
The alleged undervaluation of diamonds is said to have resulted in losses in government revenue.
In its 2 November statement, the ministry said it had taken note of allegations circulating on social media and raised through various whistleblowing channels concerning the alleged conduct of an official within its Directorate of Diamond Affairs and certain employees associated with NDTC.
The ministry confirmed that the allegations relate to dealings with a privately owned diamond company.
Amutse said the ministry would cooperate fully with the ACC and other competent law enforcement authorities in establishing the facts surrounding the allegations, including any conduct that may have occurred in the execution of official responsibilities.
“The ministry will cooperate fully with the commission and will not comment on the merits of the allegations while the investigation is under way,” the statement reads.
The minister also requested the acting executive director to commence an internal investigation into the allegations against the official concerned in accordance with the Public Service Act of 1995 and the Public Service Staff Rules.
The ministry said the internal investigation would be conducted objectively and in accordance with the Public Service Act, Public Service Staff Rules and other applicable legal and administrative frameworks.
It further called on anyone holding information or documents relevant to the allegations to provide them to the ACC.
“The ministry wishes to assure the Namibian nation that these allegations are being treated with the seriousness they deserve,” the statement reads.
The ministry said it does not condone corruption, abuse of public office, exploitation of regulatory weaknesses or any conduct that undermines the country’s efforts to derive maximum economic benefit from its natural resources.
It added that allegations involving its officials would not be ignored, suppressed or dealt with informally, but would be subjected to appropriate public service scrutiny.
The ACC investigation will establish the facts surrounding the allegations, while the ministry’s internal investigation will examine the conduct of the official concerned.
The ministry has not disclosed the identity of the privately owned diamond company or provided details of the alleged diamond transactions, properties and financial arrangements.
