Staff Reporter
THE spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, has said that the police cannot offer any commentary on the Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd (Namdia) diamond heist that took place on 18 January.
She explained that this is due to the matter being before the court and thus under judicial consideration, which prohibits public discussion.
Deputy Commissioner Shikwambi made these remarks in response to allegations that the initial investigators on the case had been replaced.
Journalists questioned her on how the prolonged lack of official communication from NAMPOL benefits the investigation, whether the amount of missing diamonds has been established, and what the chances are that any of the diamonds will be recovered given the weeks that have passed since the robbery.
However, she responded that no new team had been constituted regarding the Namdia investigation.
“The key investigating officers who were part of the investigation since that night remain part of the Task Force team that was constituted by the Inspector General, to be led by Deputy Commissioner De Klerk. Commissioner Becker and his forensic team are providing forensic and analytical support to the investigation.
“Please note that this case is now a court case, and therefore NAMPOL PR can no longer communicate any information on the case,” Shikwambi said.
She urged journalists to be patient and allow the investigators to do their work, emphasizing the importance of not jeopardizing the investigation and the ultimate prosecution.
“It is a known fact that legal and court processes are gradual; therefore, let us practice patience,” Shikwambi concluded.
The Namdia heist, which occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, 18 January, shocked the nation, claiming the lives of Francis Eiseb, Namdia’s security chief, as well as Max Endjala.
Two suspects, Joel Angula, a Namdia protection officer, and former soldier Sam Shololo, were arrested and appeared before the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, where they were denied bail. While Angula’s lawyers indicated that they would apply for bail, no such application has been made thus far.
