Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister for industries, mines and energy Ferdinand Hengombe has challenged line minister Modestus Amutse to explain whether Namibia has modern diamond-scanning technology.
He warns that vague assurances could undermine transparency in the valuation of mineral wealth.
Hengombe, in a statement issued on Friday, criticises Amutse’s parliamentary response on Wednesday regarding the ministry’s possession and use of the Sarin Galaxy system for assessing rough diamonds.
He says the minister appeared to suggest that sophisticated equipment was not always necessary because diamonds could be identified and assessed with the naked eye.
“The question is not whether a trained person can recognise a diamond with the naked eye. The question is whether Namibia has a sufficiently robust, transparent and independently verifiable system to determine what that diamond is worth,” Hengombe says.
He stresses that identifying a diamond is different from determining its commercial value, which may depend on its weight, colour, clarity, shape, inclusions and potential polished yield.
Hengombe has demanded clarity on whether the ministry owns an operational Galaxy scanner or uses equivalent technology, and calls for an independent technical review of Namibia’s diamond valuation procedures.
He also questions what safeguards prevent undervaluation, ensure consistent assessments and verify declared export values.
Hengombe cautions that the absence of a particular scanner does not automatically constitute a breach of Kimberley process requirements, but says inadequate controls and documentation could raise concerns about diamond governance.
“Namibia’s diamonds are a national asset, not an exercise in guesswork,” he says, demanding evidence that the country receives a fair return for its diamonds.
The mid-term budget recently tabled indicates diamond taxes and royalties have fallen from N$5.8 billion in 2023/24 to a projected N$414 million in 2026/27, an estimated shortfall of N$5.3 billion over the 2024/25 – 2026/27 financial year.
