Namdia Responds to Security-Violation Allegations Following Diamond Heist 

Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has upgraded its security procedures, it confirmed, rejecting allegations on social media that its protocols were inadequate. 

Job Amupanda, a social activist and Namibian parliament member, accused Namdia of appointing an unqualified security consultant and hiring his son to install a security system in a post on X last week. In response to the accusation, Namdia revealed it had carried out adjustments in accordance with the Public Procurement Act after a fatal armed robbery earlier this year.  

Previously, Neldan, a Namibian-registered firm with international operations, provided security. That contract ended, leaving a gap and highlighting the need for a more strategic, expert-led approach, the Namibia government-owned sales and marketing company added. 

The armed robbery, which occurred in January, saw Namdia’s senior protection officer killed and some $17.2 million in diamonds stolen. Following the incident, Namdia suspended its CEO, chief operations officer and security manager. 

In March, Namdia reported that it had recovered around $2.2 million of the stolen diamonds.  

Image: Rough diamonds. (Namdia)