ACC probes NDTC, mines official over bribery

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of bribery and improper dealings involving employees of the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) and the mines ministry.“I can confirm that the Anti-Corruption Commission has indeed received the allegations concerning the NDTC and has instituted an investigation into the matter. The investigation is ongoing,” ACC spokesperson Hosea Idipo told Namibian Sun this week.“However, given the confidential nature of investigations, we are unable to disclose further details, including whether specific individuals have been interviewed or the progress made thus far,” he added.NDTC spokesperson Helena Mootseng told Namibian Sun yesterday that the supply agreement had been termination of Brilliant Star and its appointment as a Sightholder has been terminated following a separate investigation.Mootseng also confirmed action being taken against NDTC and mines ministry officials regarding bribery and misconduct."We take such matters extremely seriously and can confirm that NDTC has initiated an independent investigation under the oversight of the Board Audit Committee and that the NDTC Board has accepted a request from Brent Eiseb, CEO of NDTC, to take a voluntary leave of absence during the investigation to ensure its independence," Mootseng said.The investigation follows a referral by industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse, who submitted allegations and related material to ACC director general Bryan Eiseb on 30 October.In a statement last week, Amutse said the ministry had received allegations through whistleblowing channels concerning the conduct of an official in its directorate of diamond affairs and certain NDTC employees.The allegations involve dealings with privately owned diamond company Brilliant Star Diamonds Namibia.Amutse said the referral was intended to ensure that the allegations were independently examined and the facts established.“The ministry will cooperate fully with the commission and will not comment on the merits of the allegations while the investigation is under way,” Amutse said.The minister also instructed the acting executive director to initiate a separate internal investigation into the alleged conduct of the ministry official.“The ministry wishes to assure the Namibian nation that these allegations are being treated with the seriousness they deserve,” Amutse said.De Beers terminates agreementNDTC is a joint venture established in 2007, with the Namibian government and De Beers each holding a 50% stake.Allegations of briberyThe allegations referred to the ACC concern financial and other benefits allegedly provided by Brilliant Star to officials in exchange for favourable treatment in the diamond trade.Among the claims is that two residential properties in Swakopmund, registered in Brilliant Star's name, were used by senior officials associated with NDTC and the ministry's directorate of diamond affairs.Documents seen by Namibian Sun show that one of the properties was sold to the company by businessman Lionel Matthews on 13 December 2023.Other allegations involve the payment of personal expenses, access to company bank cards, cash withdrawals and overseas travel and entertainment allegedly financed by Brilliant Star.There are also claims that rough diamonds were undervalued before export, potentially depriving government of revenue.Brilliant Star has, however, denied the allegations, saying neither the company nor its subsidiaries has paid bribes to Namibian officials.“Brilliant Star categorically denies that it, or any of its subsidiaries, has paid a bribe to any official in Namibia, including at the Namibia Diamond Trading Company,” the company told Rapaport News.“The allegations you refer to appeared in social media posts. We have not been shown any evidence to support them and no charge has been brought against Brilliant Star or any of its entities in connection with any bribery allegation. Brilliant Star Diamonds Namibia has been manufacturing diamonds in Namibia for many years and currently employs over 100 people, 71 of them Namibians, reflecting our continued commitment to local manufacturing in Namibia,” company was quoted telling Rapaport.

ACC probes NDTC, mines official over bribery

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

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ACC probes NDTC, mines official over bribery

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-11

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