Allexer Namundjembo and Ester Mbathera
The recent diamond heist at Namdia’s ‘Eumbo’ office in Windhoek, which resulted in the deaths of Namdia’s security chief, Francis Eiseb, and suspect Max Endjala, has reignited concerns over the security and management of Namibia’s diamond resources.
Almost a week after the heist, Namdia has chosen to remain silent, postponing a media briefing that was initially anticipated to provide clarity on the incident.
Namdia’s Chief Executive Officer, Alisa Amupolo announced on Wednesday that the company had delayed the briefing due to ongoing investigations.
“We will then be in a better position to provide you with a critical update on the progress of the police and internal investigations and, importantly, let you know how much of the stolen goods have been recovered,” she said.
The postponement, however, leaves critical questions unanswered, including whether the stolen diamonds were insured and at what value, as well as the status of employees who were on duty during the heist.
The lack of timely information has drawn criticism from media ombudsman John Nakuta, who described Namdia and NamPolice’s communication strategy as “highly regrettable.”
“Their communication strategy on this very worrisome heist, to say the very least, leaves much to be desired,” said Nakuta.
He warned that delayed communication fuels misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media.
According to Nakuta, the heist involved the country’s natural resources, which belong to all citizens, and called for proactive disclosure of broad updates to address public concerns.
“What the people are saying is that we do not want all the details, the nitty-gritty details as to what has happened. Obviously, it would be unreasonable to expect the police and Namdia to provide such kind of information, but at the very least, give and inform the nation in broad terms what happened and so forth. And with that, you will address the misinformation and disinformation campaign that is currently happening on social media,” said.
Nakuta called for the urgent implementation of the Access to Information Act and urged the minister of information to prioritise the signing and implementation of the Act, which he believes would prevent similar lapses in communication in the future.
Previous diamond theft cases
This incident is not an isolated case.
It is part of a troubling pattern of diamond thefts in the country.
Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo admitted in 2023 that while diamond inspectors play a critical role in safeguarding the industry, their efforts alone are insufficient to deter theft.
At the time, the ministry had only 19 diamond inspectors out of the budgeted 40.
While recruitment efforts for eight additional inspectors were ongoing, the ministry deployed the available team of inspectors to active mines, prospecting areas and vessels, or where a critical need arose.
The law requires the mines to report on their discoveries on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
Each license holder must maintain a register at their operation sites where they handle diamonds, according to the Diamond Law and Regulations.
These registers are open for inspection at any time by any inspector and the diamond commissioner.
The heist at Namdia’s office is the latest in a series of high-profile diamond thefts:
- In 2005 an Israeli national was arrested in connection with stolen diamonds from NamGem worth N$20 million. The accused Erez Ben Shushan was set free after Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa decided to drop the charge against him.
- 2018: A substantial amount of diamonds was discovered on a DebMarine vessel during maintenance in Cape Town. A whistleblower reported the case, alleging severe lapses in the investigation, including negligence and possible bribery. Despite police investigations, the public prosecutor declined to prosecute, leaving the whistleblower in hiding without state protection.
- 2014: A flawless 78-carat diamond vanished from a Namdeb safe in Oranjemund. The diamond, discovered on 18 July of that year, was valued at an undisclosed amount. The suspect in the case died days later in a car accident, leaving unanswered questions.
- 2006: A syndicate involving up to 30 Namdeb employees was implicated in the theft of millions of dollars worth of diamonds over two years. James Vilho Auala, a former employee, was convicted of stealing 28 rough diamonds worth over N$438 000 and received a combined sentence of nine years imprisonment.
Call for strengthened security and leadership accountability
IT and corporate governance expert Rauna Shipena described the heist as a wake-up call for Namibia’s diamond sector.
She emphasised the importance of implementing robust security measures and holding leaders accountable to prevent future breaches.
“Namibia’s diamond industry is central to its economic stability and global reputation. Given the high stakes, it might be in the country’s best interest to prioritise appointing C-suite executives and board members with applied experience in the diamond sector. Leadership at this level cannot afford to rely on learning on the job. It requires deep industry knowledge to anticipate risks, implement robust strategies, and make informed decisions,” Shipena said.
She noted that diamond companies such as De Beers and Namdeb enforce stringent measures, including biometric access controls, tamper-proof containers, and secure vaults, to prevent unauthorised access outside working hours.
In contrast, reports suggest Namdia may not adhere to these protocols, raising questions about the company’s preparedness for high-stakes threats.
Shipena suggested that by aligning its security measures with industry standards, Namdia can enhance its operational integrity and safeguard its assets more effectively.
“By aligning its security measures with global best practices and ensuring that leadership has the necessary experience, Namdia can rebuild trust, safeguard its assets, and position itself as a resilient and competitive player in the global diamond market,” she said.
