Budget constraints stall Namdia heist investigations

Investigations into the high-profile Namdia heist have reportedly stalled due to a lack of budgetary allocation for out-of-jurisdiction investigations, following the theft of 446 parcels of diamonds during the 18 January robbery at Namdia’s Windhoek headquarters.

This emerged in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where Namibian Police (Nampol) Chief Inspector Simeon Nghilalulua testified following a postponement application by State prosecutor Adrie Rickerts.

Rickerts informed the court that the Prosecutor General’s decision regarding two accused, Sam Shololo and Joel Angula, is still pending.

Nghilalulua told the court that investigators had also been instructed to merge cases involving individuals implicated in the Namdia matter.

“Investigations are not complete as we have inquiries that go beyond our jurisdiction. We require approval from the Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo, to travel outside Windhoek to collect witness statements", he said.

He further explained that a directive had been received to delay such travel pending the availability of funds. “We received communication from the Inspector General’s office requesting that we wait for the risk financial budget allocation to accommodate travel", Nghilalulua added.

The State also indicated that efforts are underway to consolidate the case with other accused persons, including former G4S security guard Samuel Shipanga, George Cloete, as well as two suspects arrested last year, Andreas Tangeni Akwaake and Immanuel Iipinge, whose matters are expected to be merged.

Veiko Alexander, defence lawyer for Angula, argued that the postponement would prejudice his client and constitutes an infringement of his human rights.

Magistrate Olga Muharukua has postponed the case to 1 April for ruling.

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