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N$1-billion Namdia robbery: Suspects, diamonds, and tragic deaths

Max Endjala and Joel Angula

Investigations into Saturday’s N$1-billion Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) robbery have revealed that one of the suspects allegedly misled the police, providing them with two fake Angolan names as accomplices.

The Namibian understands that the robbery was executed nearly flawlessly, with the suspects almost escaping, had neighbours not alerted a private security company which responded and detained them until the police arrived.

A source close to Namdia yesterday suggested that the stolen diamonds could be worth between N$1 billion and N$1.3 billion.
Other media houses have claimed the figure could be N$280 million or N$700 million.

Police deputy inspector general Elias Mutota yesterday confirmed that three suspects have been identified in connection with the incident: Trustco internal and forensics investigation unit chief operations officer Max Endjala, his cousin Joel Angula and Sam Shololo.

Francis Eiseb

Endjala died on Saturday.

The robbery also led to the death of Namdia’s senior security officer Francis Eiseb (57), who was killed at the parastatal.

Eiseb was the older brother of Bryan Eiseb, the current director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), an entity tasked with fighting financial crimes in the country.

Bryan served as Namdia’s board chairperson from December 2019 to March 2024.

DIAMONDS AND DEATH

The total value of the stolen diamonds is unknown, as the police have remained tight-lipped on the amount.

They said they would host a press conference in Windhoek today to provide more information on the robbery.

Namdia on Sunday announced that two suspects fled the scene.

The Namibian understands the police, however, no longer believe that two additional suspects were involved in the incident.

A source says the Angolan names provided by one of the detained suspects could not be verified.

The initial suspicion that the two suspects went through the roof and ran away was a red herring, the source says.

The source adds that camera footage captured the entire robbery, yet shows no evidence of two additional suspects.

Namdia is said to have been in the process of acquiring a new security system. Mutota last year warned Namdia about the possibility of a heist during a meeting with the company.

He also asked the diamond company to upgrade its security.

Max Endjala

“Yes, I am aware of the past warning we gave Namdia regarding a planned possible heist, but that is all I can say,” Mutota confirmed yesterday.

He said investigations are ongoing.

“However, we cannot reveal more information at the moment,” he said.

One of the suspects, identified as Max Endjala, allegedly entered the Namdia building using an outdated access card allegedly provided by his cousin, a former police officer who was also on duty.

Suspicious movements inside the building prompted some Namdia employees to alert the company’s senior security officer, Francis Eiseb (57), who was called from home to investigate.

At approximately 18h30, Eiseb arrived at the scene and confronted the suspects.

It is reported that Eiseb recognised Endjala, who was unmasked.

A confrontation ensued, during which shots were exchanged.

Eiseb was reportedly captured by the suspects and killed.

Another version is that a passer-by driving along the street noticed a suspicious car with Angolan licence plates parked outside the building.

Concerned, they contacted the police.

The Angolan number plate appears to have been a tactic to confuse the police.

During the robbery, the suspects allegedly physically assaulted and threatened employees, cutting them with knives and issuing death threats to deter resistance.

The suspects were said to have searched for diamonds throughout the premises.

As police vehicles approached, the suspects allegedly abandoned their plans and attempted to flee with diamonds.

Some suspects allegedly managed to escape in the car, while Endjala and another stayed behind.

Upon seeing the police, Endjala reportedly shot himself in their presence.

He was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. The other suspect was apprehended at the scene.

The police searched the building and its surroundings, suspecting that some suspects may have escaped via the roof.

During the operation, commissioner Nelius Becker, the head of the police’s forensics department, allegedly fell from the roof and sustained two broken ankles.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, deputy inspector general Elias Mutota said he was unaware of this incident.

“I am not aware of that incident and I was not informed about it,” he said.

Efforts to reach Becker for comment were unsuccessful.

However, it is alleged that Becker posted about his injury on a police WhatsApp group.

“I fell nicely through a roof at Namdia’s scene and broke both my ankles . . . Check in Lady Pohamba . . . flip!!”

On Sunday afternoon, investigations led to Angula’s arrest.

Joel Angula

He was detained at home, where some diamonds allegedly stolen from Namdia were recovered. Sources close to the investigation believe the heist was an inside job.

A police docket has been opened, with charges including armed robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder.

In a statement released on Sunday, Namdia executive officer Alisa Amupolo said the company is cooperating with the police.

“Namdia confirms that the incident occurred at its premises in the early evening hours of Saturday, 18 January 2025,” she said.

“Suspects fled with an unspecified amount of Namdia’s diamonds, of which its value is still to be ascertained.”
Amupolo confirmed that Eiseb lost his life while on duty.

“Eiseb valiantly and bravely defended and attempted to fend off the robbers, which led to the tragic loss of his life whilst on duty.

“We extend our most heartfelt and deepest condolences to Eiseb’s wife, children, grandchildren and entire bereaved family. He has been with Namdia since February 2019,” she said.

Amupolo has urged Namibians to stop spreading false information.

“Namdia is aware of the circulation of inaccurate reports on social media regarding the recent tragic incident at our premises.

“These misleading accounts are causing confusion and misinformation. We remain committed to collaborating with the Namibian Police to provide the public with accurate and verified updates,” she said.

“Namdia remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding its staff and operations. We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure that this unfortunate incident receives all the necessary resources required to resolve the case,” she said.

Trustco Group Holdings has launched an internal company probe.

In a press statement issued yesterday, Trustco spokesperson Neville Basson said: “Endjala was tragically killed during an armed robbery and shooting incident on Saturday.”

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