Namdia’s security is worrying – Alweendo

Minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo says it’s concerning that an armed robbery took place at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) despite its existing security measures.

The incident would, however, not impact Namibia’s reputation on the international diamond market, he says.

He spoke to The Namibian yesterday, saying: “That [security] concerns us, and then all we’re hoping is that the police will really do their work quickly so that at least we can know what really happened and how it happened.”

Alweendo and his ministry have been mum on the robbery involving diamonds worth an alleged N$349.3 million on 18 January.

He said he was reluctant to comment on the matter, since it is still being investigated.

Alweendo said he did not foresee the heist having any impact on Namibia’s image in the international diamond market.

“What the international diamond sector will be concerned over is the ethical mining of diamonds. But a crime does not necessarily affect how people view Namdia in terms of the diamond sector,” he said.

The heist saw Francis Eiseb (57), a security supervisor at Namdia, found dead in a storeroom.

A suspect, identified as Max Endjala, was also discovered with what appeared to have been gunshot wounds. He later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Endjala, a renowned squash player, was a senior Trustco Group employee.

Two other suspects, Sam Shololo (45) and Joel Angula (45) have appeared in court and remain in custody on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, the possession of uncut diamonds, and two counts of attempted murder.