Namdia rubbishes social media claims about security appointments

Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has urged the public to refrain from spreading misleading information about security appointments at the company.

The company says it has taken note of recent social media posts containing unsubstantiated allegations regarding its security protocols, governance and the appointment of security consultants.

In a statement released on Saturday, Namdia spokesperson Beverley Coussement says the company has implemented critical security upgrades following
the armed robbery at their premises in January.

“While specific details cannot be disclosed for security reasons, these measures were executed urgently under the Public Procurement Act, which permits emergency procurement in critical situations,” she says.

Coussement says all decisions relating to upgrades were taken in the interest of protecting staff, the product and the premises, and in
alignment with international best practices.

“Following the incident, the board engaged and appointed a security consultant to stabilise the department and oversee the immediate implementation of necessary enhancements,” she says.

She says this appointment was driven by the urgent need for specialised expertise and forms part of Namdia’s broader risk mitigation strategy.

“Prior to this appointment, security services had been provided by Neldan, a Namibian-registered company with operations in several countries, including Angola. That contract, however, had come to its natural conclusion, creating a gap that further underscored the need for a more strategic and expert-led security approach,” Coussement says.

“Since the incident, staff have been provided with access to professional counselling support. We, therefore, urge the public and media to exercise caution and refrain from spreading unverified information, as this could compromise law-enforcement efforts and mislead the public,” she says.

Coussement says the public should allow the police the space and time required to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.

“Speculation, unverified accusations or attempts to influence the process could undermine the pursuit of justice and the eventual resolution of this matter,” she says.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.