The Namibia Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has said the police have recovered diamonds worth N$40.6 million after the N$350 million heist that took place in January.
After a period of silence following the incident, the company issued a press statement on Thursday after Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian McHenry Venaani demanded accountability from the prime minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The robbery took place on 18 January.
In the statement, Namdia spokesperson Beverley Coussement said this recovery was made in the course of investigations.
“To date, diamonds valued at N$ 40.6 million have been recovered out of the total N$ 314.9 million stolen,” the statement reads.
Namdia said that thus far, no staff members other than Joel Angula – one of the suspects arrested and Namdia’s protection officer – was involved in the biggest heist in Namibia’s history.
The state-owned enterprise has taken measures to strengthen their protection, said Coussement.
“While the investigation remains active, the board has taken decisive action by appointing a security consultant to stabilise the security department and oversee the immediate execution of critical security enhancements.”
Coussement added that Namdia has strengthened security at their premises, but could not state which steps were taken, saying that “some upgrades were put into place immediately following the incident, while others were being executed with urgency”.
She said they will procure the required services “in response to this critical situation”.
In addition, Namdia has made “essential repairs” to the premises to address the damage incurred during the robbery.
