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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namib Desert Diamonds

Also known as: Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) Pty Ltd · Namib Desert Diamond · Namib Desert Diamonds (Ltd) Pty (Namdia) · Namib Desert Diamonds Pty Ltd · Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) · Namibia Desert Diamonds

Namibia's state diamond company, subject of multiple armed robberies and ongoing prosecutions, with N$335.6 million in diamonds stolen in January 2025.

2022-11-182026-10-22
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News reports

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What’s been said

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  1. March 2026

  2. Informanté

    Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) Pty Ltd had case come to a standstill due to cross-jurisdictional joint investigations delaying Prosecutor General Decision

    Source

    “THE Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) Pty Ltd case came to a standstill after it was revealed that cross-jurisdictional joint investigations, which relate to the Namdia diamond heist in the jurisdictions of Noordoewer, Keetmanshoop, and Windhoek, have delayed the rendering of the Prosecutor General Decision (PGD) in the matter.”

    Cross-jurisdictional investigations delay Namdia trial
  3. February 2026

  4. Informanté

    Namib Desert Diamonds experienced a heist wherein diamonds worth N$315 million were stolen

    Source

    “Samuel Shipanga, former G4S security guard, implicated in the Namib Desert Diamond (Namdia) heist, wherein diamonds worth N$315 million were stolen from the state-owned diamond enterprise, appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court.”

    Ex-G4S guard faces court over N$315 million Namdia diamond heist

  5. Informanté

    Namib Desert Diamonds Pty Ltd (Namdia) was subject to diamond heist on 18 January 2025 with N$295 million in diamonds missing

    Source

    “Windhoek Magistrate Atutala Shikalepo has denied the granting of bail to Namib Desert Diamonds Pty Ltd (Namdia) diamond theft and murder accused Joel Angula, stating that the interests of justice dictate that the accused remain incarcerated pending the finalisation of investigations, which mainly relate to the recovery of diamonds worth N$295 million that remain missing from the diamond heist that happened on 18 January 2025 at the state-owned diamond company.”

    Namdia diamond heist accused denied bail

  6. Informanté

    Namib Desert Diamonds responded that it is not liable for damages the family suffered

    Source

    “He said that on 7 March 2025, NAMDIA responded to their client's letter and said: "Our colleague tragically lost his life during the course of employment and while on duty as a Senior Protection Officer. Based on this, we believe that NAMDIA is not liable for any damages the family may have suffered, in particular as per your request."”

    Namdia protection officer widow demands close to N$4 million
  7. January 2026

  8. The Namibian

    Namdia employee was killed during an armed robbery at the company's premises

    Source

    “The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) employee killed during an armed robbery at the company's premises in Windhoek last year was shot with a pistol that belonged to one of the alleged robbers, Max Endjala, a police detective testified in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Friday.”

    Windhoek court hears Endjala’s pistol killed Namdia guard during diamond robbery

  9. New Era

    Namib Desert Diamonds had a diamond robbery at its offices on 18 January 2025

    Source

    “The diamond company announced yesterday that the staff member was arrested in relation to the robbery that happened on 18 January 2025.”

    Namdia employee arrested in diamond heist case

  10. Informanté

    Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) announced arrest of one additional staff member in connection with diamond heist

    Source

    “THE Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) state-owned enterprise has announced that an additional staff member has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the armed diamond heist that occurred at the company's premises on 18 January 2025.”

    Namdia announces arrest of one more staff member for diamond heist
  11. January 2025

  12. The Namibian

    Namib Desert Diamonds lost N$350 million worth of diamonds in robbery

    Source

    “This comes after Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) lost N$350 million worth of diamonds in a robbery on Saturday.”

    Ndeitunga suspects inside job in Namdia heist: Calls for increased vetting of Govt officials

  13. The Namibian

    Namib Desert Diamonds announced that two suspects fled the scene

    Source

    “Namdia on Sunday announced that two suspects fled the scene.”

    N$1-billion Namdia robbery: Suspects, diamonds, and tragic deaths

  14. The Namibian

    Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) experienced theft of diamonds worth approximately N$1 billion in Windhoek on Saturday

    Source

    “The police are treating the theft of diamonds worth about N$1 billion at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) in Windhoek on Saturday as an inside job.”

    Namdia diamond heist: Inside job suspected as police investigate N$1-billion theft
Mining & Energy

Namibian diamonds sell at nearly four times global average price

The News

Namibian diamonds are selling at almost four times the global average price—US$343.88 per carat versus US$93.43 globally—with the country producing 2.1 million carats valued at US$721.5 million in 2025 according to Kimberley Process statistics. Despite smaller production volumes, Namibia achieves higher per-carat values than major producers including Botswana, Angola, Russia, and Canada, reflecting the quality of its stones.

17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 17 October

  1. Namibian diamonds sell at nearly four times global average price

    Namibian diamonds are selling at almost four times the global average price—US$343.88 per carat versus US$93.43 globally—with the country producing 2.1 million carats valued at US$721.5 million in 2025 according to Kimberley Process statistics. Despite smaller production volumes, Namibia achieves higher per-carat values than major producers including Botswana, Angola, Russia, and Canada, reflecting the quality of its stones.

    17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

  1. Former Namdia guard Angula's bail appeal dismissed in heist case

    The Windhoek High Court has dismissed a bail appeal by former Namdia protection officer Joel Angula, one of three men accused of a fatal robbery at the diamond company's head office in January 2023. Angula and his co-accused face ten charges including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and theft of diamonds.

    21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

  1. Cloete brothers appeal bail denial in N$300m diamond heist case

    George and Bino Cloete, arrested in May 2025 in connection with a January 2025 diamond heist at Namib Desert Diamonds involving over N$300 million, are appealing against the Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court decision to deny them bail. They face charges including money laundering, trafficking of stolen goods, and contravening the Diamond Act, with prosecutors alleging that approximately N$2 million in deposits linked to the heist were used to purchase livestock and a vehicle after diamonds were sold in South Africa.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Defence lawyer claims weak case against Namdia robbery accused

    A lawyer for Joel Angula, a former Namdia protection officer facing charges in connection with a fatal armed robbery at Namdia's Windhoek head office in January last year, argued in the High Court that the case against him is "very weak" during a bail appeal hearing. Angula and two co-accused are facing 10 charges including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and theft of diamonds.

    18 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 10 August

  1. Diamond sector shows recovery signs as market splits

    Namdeb's chief executive says the diamond market is showing first signs of recovery, with lab-grown diamonds hitting their ceiling and buyers at the top end turning toward natural stones. The Rapaport Diamond Report shows diamond prices stabilized in July after months of decline, with demand expected to benefit larger stones, of which over 80% of Namdeb's revenue derives.

    10 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 31 July

  1. Namdia sues G4S for N$314m diamond theft damages

    Namibia's state diamond company Namdia is pursuing a civil claim against security firm G4S Secure Solutions Namibia for N$314 million in damages over an armed robbery of 446 parcels of diamonds at Namdia's premises on 18 January 2025, alleging G4S breached contractual obligations by failing to provide adequate security services. The case has stalled over disclosure disputes, with G4S seeking access to Namdia's security plans, CCTV footage, alarm records, and other evidence to support its defence.

    31 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 30 July

  1. Namdia-G4S lawsuit stalls over withheld evidence disclosure

    Namdia Pty Ltd's N$314 million negligence lawsuit against security firm G4S over a January 2025 diamond heist has reached a standoff because Namdia is withholding evidence—including disciplinary records, security protocols, and CCTV footage—citing confidentiality concerns. The court postponed proceedings to 30 July 2026 to determine how the dispute over evidence disclosure should proceed.

    30 July 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Economist urges Namibia to exit De Beers, sell diamonds independently

    Economist Robin Sherbourne has advised Namibia to buy out its stake in Namdeb and sell its high-quality natural diamonds independently of the De Beers system, arguing that Namibia's 95% gem-quality diamonds may be undervalued when aggregated with lower-quality diamonds globally.

    30 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 11 July

  1. Namdia selects five Namibian firms for 2026-2029 diamond cycle

    Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) defended selecting five Namibian companies for its new diamond sales cycle out of 11 applicants, saying the selection balanced local participation with achieving optimal price discovery and maximising value for government. The decision has drawn complaints from unsuccessful applicants, who claim it has led to factory closures and job losses in the diamond cutting and polishing industry.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Three men charged in Namdia diamond heist sent to High Court

    The prosecutor general has decided that three men—former Namdia security officer Joel Angula, Sam Shololo, and former security company employee Samuel Shipanga—will stand trial in the Windhoek High Court on ten charges stemming from an armed robbery at Namdia's head office in January 2025, in which two people were killed and diamonds valued at N$335.6 million were allegedly stolen.

    1 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 25 June

  1. Bryan Eiseb nominated to lead Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has nominated Bryan Eiseb, currently head of the Financial Intelligence Centre, to lead the Anti-Corruption Commission, with Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare tabling a motion in the National Assembly for parliamentary approval. Eiseb, 55, would succeed Paulus Noa, whose term as director general ends this month.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Eiseb nominated as next Anti-Corruption Commission director

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has nominated Financial Intelligence Centre director Bryan Eiseb as the new director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, to succeed Paulus Noa whose term ends this month. If approved by parliament, Eiseb will serve a five-year term.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 5 April

  1. Prosecution of Namdia robbery suspects gets court postponement

    The Windhoek Magistrate's Court has postponed to 18 June the case against Joel Angula and Sam Shololo, accused in a fatal January 2025 armed robbery at state-owned Namdia in which diamonds valued at N$335.6 million were stolen. The state was granted more time to complete parallel investigations across multiple jurisdictions and for the prosecutor general to decide on final charges.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

  1. Cross-border investigations delay Namdia diamond heist trial

    The trial of two suspects in the Namdia diamond heist, in which N$345 million in diamonds were stolen and two people died, has stalled as police conduct joint investigations across multiple jurisdictions in Noordoewer, Keetmanshoop, and Windhoek. The Prosecutor General's final decision on whether to proceed to trial has been delayed pending completion of these investigations and recovery of related dockets.

    20 March 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 28 February

  1. Ex-G4S guard appears in court for Namdia diamond heist

    Samuel Shipanga, a former G4S security guard implicated in the theft of diamonds worth N$315 million from state-owned Namdia, appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on charges of theft. His case has been joined with that of Joel Angula, a former Namdia protection officer, with proceedings postponed to 19 March 2026.

    28 February 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 26 February

  1. G4S claims N$4 200 liability cap in Namdia diamond heist lawsuit

    Security company G4S Namibia says it is only liable to pay N$4 200 in damages in a lawsuit by state-owned Namdia over a January 2025 heist in which 446 parcels of diamonds worth N$314 million were stolen, citing a contractual liability limitation clause. Namdia claims G4S was negligent in failing to prevent the theft despite being present when an employee of G4S participated in the armed robbery.

    26 February 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Synthetic diamonds threaten Namibia's government revenue, experts warn

    Anglo American's sharp devaluation of De Beers to US$2.3 billion reflects the diamond industry's struggles amid competition from lab-grown diamonds, which threatens Namibia's fiscal health since diamonds fund schools, hospitals and roads. Experts debate whether Namibia should invest in the sector as Anglo American seeks buyers, with some warning the industry faces long-term decline.

    25 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Former Namdia guard denied bail in N$335m diamond heist case

    Magistrate Helvi Shikalepo refused bail for Joel Angula, a former Namdia security officer arrested in connection with a January 2024 armed robbery at the company's Windhoek headquarters in which diamonds valued at N$335.6 million were stolen and a security officer was killed. Shikalepo ruled that although the state has a prima facie case against Angula, his continued detention is in the interest of justice pending trial.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Diamond heist suspect denied bail by Windhoek magistrate

    Former Namib Desert Diamonds security officer Joel Angula was denied bail in connection with a N$315-million diamond heist at Namdia's premises last year. Magistrate Atutala Shikalepo ruled that the interest of justice dictates his continued detention pending trial, finding a prima facie case against him despite his assertions that he poses no flight risk and the State's case is weak.

    24 February 2026 · New Era →

  3. Windhoek court denies bail to Namdia heist murder accused

    Magistrate Atutala Shikalepo has denied bail to Joel Angula, accused of theft and murder in connection with a January 2025 diamond heist at state-owned Namdia, citing the interests of justice and ongoing investigations into the recovery of N$295 million in missing diamonds.

    24 February 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Bail ruling due for man accused in N$330 million Namdia heist

    Joel Angula, a 46-year-old ex-protection officer accused of involvement in the Namdia diamond theft and the deaths of two people, will learn the outcome of his bail application on 23 February. The State has opposed bail citing severity of charges and fears of abscondment and witness interference, while Angula's lawyer argues the evidence is circumstantial.

    7 February 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namdia robbery accused awaits bail ruling in February

    Joel Angula, a former Namdia security officer charged with murder and robbery in connection with a January 2024 heist at the Namdia head office in Windhoek in which a security officer was killed, will learn on 23 February whether he will be released on bail. The state opposes bail, arguing he may abscond or interfere with witnesses, while his defence counsel argues the state's case is weak.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Widow sues Namdia for N$4m over slain protection officer

    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.

    4 February 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 22 January

  1. Police pursue more arrests in N$314.9 million Namdia diamond heist

    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.

    22 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Namdia diamond heist suspect remanded in custody

    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.

    21 January 2026 · New Era →

  2. Defence challenges "common purpose" charges in NAMDIA diamond heist case

    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.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté →

  3. NAMDIA officer's case transferred to Bethanie Magistrate's Court

    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.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Police reveal NAMDIA heist planning at sports field

    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.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. Court hears Endjala's pistol killed Namdia guard in diamond heist

    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.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 January

  1. Namdia employee arrested in N$314.9 million diamond robbery

    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.

    16 January 2026 · New Era →

Namib Desert Diamonds — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute