State-owned diamond enterprise at center of January 2025 armed robbery in which N$335.6 million in diamonds were stolen and security personnel were killed.
Shirley Eises, widow of Namdia Senior Protection Officer Francis Eiseb who was shot dead during a January 2025 armed robbery at the state-owned diamond company, is claiming close to N$4 million in compensation for loss of financial support and trauma, arguing that Namdia failed to provide adequate security despite knowing the risks to employees.
Shirley Eises, widow of Namdia Senior Protection Officer Francis Eiseb who was shot dead during a January 2025 armed robbery at the state-owned diamond company, is claiming close to N$4 million in compensation for loss of financial support and trauma, arguing that Namdia failed to provide adequate security despite knowing the risks to employees.
Final submissions in the bail application of Joel Angula, accused of murder, robbery, and theft of diamonds at Namdia, will be heard on Friday after the State's case closed on the previous hearing. Angula denies all charges and claims he was tied up during the robbery incident, while a police witness testified that Angula was absent for three hours after the crime.
During a bail hearing, a Namibian Police chief inspector testified that Joel Angula would likely interfere with witnesses and investigations if released, citing his prior misleading statements and knowledge of witnesses. The inspector also stated that 452 of 512 diamonds robbed from Namdia remain missing and could be disposed of or used for further crimes if the accused is freed.
Namibian police are seeking additional arrest warrants in the Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) robbery investigation, with authorities pursuing suspects linked to the theft and the proceeds from stolen diamonds. The latest arrest, of alleged Namdia security officer Charles Rhoman, followed a suspicious livestock transaction in April 2025, bringing the total arrests to eight.
A suspended Namdia security officer appeared in court over a robbery in which diamonds worth N$314.9 million were stolen over a year ago, leaving two employees dead. The case was transferred to Bethanie Magistrates Court for a January 2026 hearing, and the accused remains in custody on charges of obstructing justice and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Defence lawyer Veiko Alexander cross-examined a State witness in the bail hearing for Joel Angula, a former police officer accused of murder and diamond theft in a January 2025 NAMDIA heist, questioning whether the "common purpose" charges are justified and arguing that attempted murder counts should be treated as assault charges instead.
Charles Rhoman, a NAMDIA protection officer arrested in connection with a diamond heist, has been remanded in custody and his case transferred to Bethanie Magistrate's Court, with proceedings postponed to 26 January. Rhoman faces charges of obstructing justice and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for allegedly receiving proceeds linked to diamonds from the heist.
A state witness in the bail application for Joel Angula, accused of the January 2025 NAMDIA robbery that netted over N$300 million in diamonds, revealed that Angula and Max Endjala held planning meetings at Wanderers Sports Field, where they discussed security vulnerabilities and execution details, including tying up guards and placing a getaway vehicle. Police found a written heist plan in Endjala's vehicle detailing activities that were later carried out at the crime scene, and DNA evidence linked Angula to a blanket left at the premises.
Police ballistics evidence presented in Windhoek court shows that a 9mm pistol registered to Max Endjala, one of the alleged robbers who later shot himself, was used to kill Namdia security officer Francis Eiseb during an armed robbery at the company's Windhoek premises in January 2024. Former police officer Joel Angula and Sam Shololo are charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and other counts related to the heist in which diamonds valued at about N$335.6 million were stolen.
A Namib Desert Diamonds employee has been arrested in connection with a diamond heist at the company's offices on 18 January 2025, bringing the total number of arrested employees to four. Diamonds valued at N$314.9 million were stolen in the robbery, which left two employees dead; N$40.6 million worth has so far been recovered.