Stolen Namdia diamonds hit SA black market
Diamonds worth N$274 million still missing
Incarcerated former soldier Sam Shololo has been identified as the key figure behind securing a market in the neighbouring country.
The Namibian Police are working closely with their South African counterparts after former soldier Sam Shololo, a key suspect in the high-profile Namdia diamond heist, allegedly smuggled some of the stolen gems into South Africa through intermediaries – as N$274 million worth of gems remain missing.
Two of Shololo’s alleged associates were arrested in Keetmanshoop this week, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to five. These arrests do not include Samuel Shipanga (33), a G4S security guard who appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of theft.
A source confirmed: “The two individuals arrested in Keetmanshoop are civilians. They received the diamonds from Shololo to sell them in South Africa.”
Shipanga, arrested earlier this week in Ondangwa, was reportedly among the first responders to the 18 January robbery at Namdia, during which two people were killed. He was denied bail after state prosecutor Rowan van Wyk argued that he poses a flight risk and could interfere with key witnesses, having been present at the scene and familiar with their identities.
Shipanga is charged with theft involving uncut and unpolished diamonds, rather than robbery, in connection with the incident that resulted in the deaths of suspected robber Max Endjala and Namibia’s senior protection officer Francis 'Gosh' Eiseb. He has chosen to represent himself in court, with his next appearance scheduled for 17 June.
As of last month, authorities had recovered diamonds valued at only N$40.6 million – a small portion of the estimated N$314.9 million worth stolen during the heist. Namdia announced in March that diamonds worth N$274.3 million remain missing.
Complex investigation
During court proceedings yesterday, it was revealed that law enforcement in Namibia and South Africa are in communication amid suspicions that some of the stolen diamonds have already been sold across the border. In total, 446 diamond parcels were stolen, 13 of which were allegedly found at the home of Joel Angula, a Namdia security officer.
Before this week, only Angula and Shololo had been arrested in the case.
Meanwhile, Namibian Sun has been informed that investigators are now probing all individuals who responded to the scene on the day of the robbery, including police officers and private security personnel.
“The investigation has been extended to everyone who was at the scene,” said a source close to the matter. “This case is very complex, and it’s being handled on a need-to-know basis to avoid compromising the investigation. The parcels couldn’t have just vanished – someone took them. This week’s arrests are expected to lead to further developments.”
There are also concerns that some senior Namibian police officers may be implicated in the disappearance of the diamonds and are allegedly obstructing the investigation. Sources claim investigators have considered submitting a formal complaint to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in this regard.
Security breach
In February, Namdia’s board of directors resolved to suspend chief executive Alisa Amupolo, chief operations officer Uahoroka Kauta and security manager Paulinus Sheyapo. The suspensions aim to ensure an independent and thorough investigation into the heist.
“As part of the ongoing recovery process, Namdia is conducting a comprehensive and robust internal investigation to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crime and to prevent any future security breaches,” the board said in a statement.
Two of Shololo’s alleged associates were arrested in Keetmanshoop this week, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to five. These arrests do not include Samuel Shipanga (33), a G4S security guard who appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of theft.
A source confirmed: “The two individuals arrested in Keetmanshoop are civilians. They received the diamonds from Shololo to sell them in South Africa.”
Shipanga, arrested earlier this week in Ondangwa, was reportedly among the first responders to the 18 January robbery at Namdia, during which two people were killed. He was denied bail after state prosecutor Rowan van Wyk argued that he poses a flight risk and could interfere with key witnesses, having been present at the scene and familiar with their identities.
Shipanga is charged with theft involving uncut and unpolished diamonds, rather than robbery, in connection with the incident that resulted in the deaths of suspected robber Max Endjala and Namibia’s senior protection officer Francis 'Gosh' Eiseb. He has chosen to represent himself in court, with his next appearance scheduled for 17 June.
As of last month, authorities had recovered diamonds valued at only N$40.6 million – a small portion of the estimated N$314.9 million worth stolen during the heist. Namdia announced in March that diamonds worth N$274.3 million remain missing.
Complex investigation
During court proceedings yesterday, it was revealed that law enforcement in Namibia and South Africa are in communication amid suspicions that some of the stolen diamonds have already been sold across the border. In total, 446 diamond parcels were stolen, 13 of which were allegedly found at the home of Joel Angula, a Namdia security officer.
Before this week, only Angula and Shololo had been arrested in the case.
Meanwhile, Namibian Sun has been informed that investigators are now probing all individuals who responded to the scene on the day of the robbery, including police officers and private security personnel.
“The investigation has been extended to everyone who was at the scene,” said a source close to the matter. “This case is very complex, and it’s being handled on a need-to-know basis to avoid compromising the investigation. The parcels couldn’t have just vanished – someone took them. This week’s arrests are expected to lead to further developments.”
There are also concerns that some senior Namibian police officers may be implicated in the disappearance of the diamonds and are allegedly obstructing the investigation. Sources claim investigators have considered submitting a formal complaint to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in this regard.
Security breach
In February, Namdia’s board of directors resolved to suspend chief executive Alisa Amupolo, chief operations officer Uahoroka Kauta and security manager Paulinus Sheyapo. The suspensions aim to ensure an independent and thorough investigation into the heist.
“As part of the ongoing recovery process, Namdia is conducting a comprehensive and robust internal investigation to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crime and to prevent any future security breaches,” the board said in a statement.
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