State diamond heist prompts call for tougher security

Presidential economic adviser and green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe has warned that the recent heist at the state-owned Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) highlights the critical need for enhanced security measures and a more diversified economy. Diamonds worth N$349m ($18.89m) were stolen during an armed robbery at Namdia’s Windhoek office on Saturday. Mnyupe yesterday told The Namibian at State House: ‘I think there’s a huge conversation around security. There’s a huge conversation around system failure.’ The adviser said Namibian diamonds should be guarded, just like citizens. ‘Because the revenue they generate reverberates right across the whole economy . . . I’m sure there will be discussions about how to make those systems more robust going forward,’ he said. The heist left two people dead, Namdia security chief Francis Eiseb, and suspect Max Endjala. Two suspects were arrested on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of uncut diamonds, and attempted murder. One of the arrested suspects, Joel Angula (45), was denied bail, while Sam Shololo (45) currently hospitalised and will make his first court appearance once he has recovered. According to a report in the New Era, Angula briefly appeared before Magistrate Olga Muharukua. The state, represented by Rowan van Wyk in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, objected to granting Angula bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge, the strength of the state’s case against him, the fear of him interfering with witnesses, the administration of justice, and public interest. Insiders state that Angula was the mastermind behind the heist, and allegedly led his co-accused inside Namdia’s highly-secured and sophisticated building. Muharukua explained that the accused had a right to launch a formal bail application before adjourning the case to 23 May.