Staff Reporter
CHARLES Rhoman, a protection officer from Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) who was arrested in relation to the diamond heist that took place at the state-owned diamond enterprise in January 2025, appeared in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court.
Rhoman, who hails from the //Kharas Region, was arrested yesterday in Keetmanshoop and put on immediate suspension without pay by Namdia as internal investigations continue, alongside police investigations.
He is charged with three counts, namely defeating or obstructing the course of justice; contravening sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) for the disguising of the unlawful origin of property; and, alternatively, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activity.
State Prosecutor Riwayn Doeseb made an application for the matter to be transferred to Bethanie Magistrate’s Court, as the offences were allegedly committed in that jurisdiction. The application was opposed by his lawyer, Theo Carolus. The lawyer also made an application for his client’s release, citing that the warrants of arrest and asset seizures were defective. The matter was stood down to after 14:00.
Rhoman is said to be a relative of the Cloetes, namely Bino and George, and George’s wife, Charmaine Cloete, who were arrested on 5 May 2025 after allegedly selling diamonds linked to the Namdia heist in South Africa.
Rhoman and his relatives were said to have been linked to a Port Nolloth-based convicted diamond dealer in South Africa, who allegedly bought livestock worth N$117 500 for Rhoman. In addition, the same account is said to have made a payment of over N$500 000 for the purchase of a Ford Ranger bakkie for George Cloete’s wife, Charmaine.
While Charmaine managed to get bail after the court found that she had no control over the accounts which received these illicit funds, the two Cloete brothers, Bino and George, are currently before the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court seeking to be released on bail. The bail is currently being opposed by the investigating officer in the matter, citing fears that the brothers may interfere with witnesses, as George allegedly instructed one person to sell the livestock obtained via the shady diamond dealings.
Photo: NBC Digital News
