Namibians nabbed in SA for diamonds

FIVE Namibian citizens were involved in a police raid on Friday in Madibogo, South Africa, where 11 people were arrested in connection with the intended sale of 24 fake diamonds.

The Namibians as well as four South Africans were found in a house in Madibogo, apparently trying to sell the counterfeit diamonds to a Kimberley couple, police there told reporters. All 11 were scheduled to appear in the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of fraud.Fake police identity cards were also found on one of the sellers after the arrest, international news reports stated.Apparently, the buyers had planned to trick the sellers, who were allegedly planning to pass themselves off as police officers during the transaction, making off with the couple’s money.Police also apparently confiscated an illegal firearm from the couple who intended to purchase the diamonds.This is the second instance in less than a month involving Namibian citizens, diamonds and the South African police.Towards the end of last month, South African police confiscated 83 diamonds from a wrecked car that had been occupied by four Namibian citizens.The Mercedes-Benz collided with a truck transporting cattle in Kuruman in the Northern Cape on March 22.All four occupants in the Mercedes Benz, all residents of Karasburg, died in this accident.The driver of the truck survived the accident uninjured.All 11 were scheduled to appear in the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of fraud. Fake police identity cards were also found on one of the sellers after the arrest, international news reports stated.Apparently, the buyers had planned to trick the sellers, who were allegedly planning to pass themselves off as police officers during the transaction, making off with the couple’s money.Police also apparently confiscated an illegal firearm from the couple who intended to purchase the diamonds.This is the second instance in less than a month involving Namibian citizens, diamonds and the South African police.Towards the end of last month, South African police confiscated 83 diamonds from a wrecked car that had been occupied by four Namibian citizens.The Mercedes-Benz collided with a truck transporting cattle in Kuruman in the Northern Cape on March 22.All four occupants in the Mercedes Benz, all residents of Karasburg, died in this accident.The driver of the truck survived the accident uninjured.