Namdia Fires CEO for Gross Negligence

Namib Desert Diamonds has terminated its CEO following a disciplinary meeting in which she was found guilty of two charges of gross negligence and gross insubordination.

The move comes as Namdia, a sales and marketing company the Nambian government owns, said Friday that Alisa Amupolo made operational decisions that led to losses for the business during the periods of April to August 2023, May 2024 and July 2024. Amupolo has been the CEO since 2022, but is currently on suspension after an armed heist that left one Namdia employee dead and nearly $20 million in diamonds stolen.

Namdia has stated that the firing was not the result of continued investigations into the theft, and that the hearing had taken place prior to the January heist.

“The decision was not taken lightly, but the board believes it is in the best interest of the company and its success in a complex, competitive and rapidly evolving market,” said board chair Justus Hausiku.

Amupolo will leave immediately, Namdia said. Lelly Usiku, an executive at Namdia who had previously acted as interim CEO and is currently filling that position during Amupolo’s suspension, will continue in the role until Namdia appoints a permanent replacement, it added.

Image: Alisa Amupolo. (Alisa Amupolo/LinkedIn)