Company to determine number of stolen gems
Staff Reporter
THE number of fatalities resulting from a robbery at Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd (NAMDIA), a state-owned diamond marketing and sales enterprise, has risen to two.
The first victim has been identified as a 57-year-old male supervisor and protection officer employed by NAMDIA. The second fatality is one of the robbers, who was struck by a bullet and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
At this point, Informanté cannot reveal the identity of the deceased NAMDIA employee, as the next of kin is yet to be informed.
This update comes from Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, who detailed the circumstances surrounding the robbery with aggravating circumstances that occurred on Saturday, 18 January 2025, between 17:00 and 18:00 at NAMDIA.
“It is alleged that four armed suspects unlawfully and intentionally entered the NAMDIA premises by means yet to be determined. They allegedly held the victims hostage by pointing firearms at them. The suspects then managed to tie up the staff and stole an undisclosed amount of diamonds.
In one of the storerooms, the supervisor, who was also a protection officer, was found dead with his hands and legs tied, his face covered with a shopping bag, and a gunshot wound to the head,” Shikwambi said.
She added that one suspect, who appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. His identity is yet to be confirmed.
A total of four firearms and knives were recovered from the scene—two belonging to the suspects and two to the victims.
Shikwambi clarified earlier reports, stating that only one suspect has been arrested so far.
“The investigation is ongoing and will shed more light on the modus operandi. Information indicates that more than two suspects were involved. Therefore, NAMPOL is requesting anyone with information to contact Chief Inspector Olivier at +264 81 421 0903 or Chief Inspector Simeon Nghilalulwa at +264 81 256 0988.
The exact number of stolen diamonds is unknown, pending an inventory by NAMDIA,” Shikwambi said.
