Attacks chain of custody of diamonds discovered at his residence
Staff Reporter
JOEL Angula (46), a former protection officer at the Namib Desert Diamonds Ltd Pty (NAMDIA) state-owned diamond company who was denied bail in late February 2026, has launched an appeal in the High Court, stating that the magistrate erred in denying him bail.
Angula, among some of his arguments, has gone to the heart of the issue regarding the missing diamonds and, via his lawyer Veiko Alexander, argued that evidence led by the State confirms that there is no chain of custody of the objects found at his house, which will make it almost impossible for the State to prove that those objects are unpolished diamonds.
“In any event, not only is there a duplication of charges, but the law also provides for an option of a fine in the event that the appellant is found guilty, a factor which the magistrate totally ignored,” Alexander argued.
The State alleges that 13 parcels of diamonds, valued at about N$4.8 million, were found hidden in boots at Angula’s home in Windhoek, Khomasdal, on 19 January 2025.
Angula, who was denied bail by Magistrate Helvi Shikalepo, is facing eight counts, including a charge of murder, in connection with an armed robbery in which diamonds valued at N$335.6 million were allegedly stolen at the NAMDIA head office in Windhoek.
To date, over N$290 million worth of the stolen diamonds has still not been recovered, with the investigating officer in the matter testifying that during the heist, Angula had not been perceived as a suspect until the following day and had disappeared from the robbery scene for some time before returning.
Angula, who is a former police officer, and the second accused, Sam Shololo (50), are charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of uncut diamonds, and two counts of attempted murder.
Furthermore, Angula has argued that the murder and robbery charges are based on allegations by the State that he acted with common purpose alongside the other accused in the matter, and that there is no direct evidence linking him to the commission of such offences.
The matter is set down for hearing on 12 June 2026 before Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen.
FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL: Former NAMDIA protection officer Joel Angula. Photo: File
