‘Where are the diamonds?’ – Venaani

Sostenus Wilherm

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has challenged mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse to explain what has happened to diamonds worth hundreds of millions of dollars stolen during a robbery at the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (Namdia).

He questioned whether the diamonds have entered international markets.

Venaani raised the concern during an oral question in the National Assembly on Wednesday, demanding an update on the investigation into the January 2025 robbery, in which diamonds valued at approximately N$314 million were stolen from Namdia’s premises.

“Are you really telling people that our diamonds have not been seen in the international market being sold off because of these serial numbers that they comply with?” Venaani asked.

He argued that diamonds are subject to identification and certification processes, including the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, and questioned why the stolen stones had not been traced if they were identifiable through their documentation and other identifying details.

“If you have not seen these diamonds, are you telling me these diamonds are just stored under someone’s house? Where are the diamonds? Where are you with this case?” he asked.

Venaani also criticised what he described as silence surrounding the high-profile theft, demanding to know how far investigations had progressed months after the robbery.

The incident at Namdia in January 2025 resulted in the deaths of senior protection officer Francois Eiseb, who allegedly responded to the scene while off duty, and Max Endjala, who was reportedly linked to the robbery and died after police confronted suspects.

Nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, including former Namdia protection officers Joel Angula and Charles Rhoman, G4S security guard Samuel Shipanga and other individuals allegedly linked to the stolen diamonds.

Responding to Venaani, Amutse said the ministry was equally interested in the progress of the investigation but maintained that criminal investigations fell outside its mandate.

“I’m happy that the honourable member has withdrawn the question on mentioning Swapo because the diamonds have no relation to the Swapo party,” Amutse said, after Venaani questioned whether the ruling party had the diamonds.

The minister explained that his ministry was responsible for licensing diamond companies and establishing the regulatory framework for the industry, while criminal investigations were handled by the relevant law enforcement authorities.

“When a case is reported, honourable member, it is obvious that the police will take over the investigation. So, it will not be within the mandate of the ministry to investigate criminal issues,” he said.

Amutse confirmed that, according to the information available to his ministry, the investigation was still ongoing.

He said the matter involved two authorities, namely the police, which conducts the criminal investigation, and the judiciary, which deals with the court proceedings.

“The investigation for now, according to the information we have, is still ongoing,” Amutse said.

He added that the ministry was awaiting the outcome of the investigation alongside members of the public and other interested parties.