Namdia security manager cleared over diamond heist

Nearly two years after a deadly heist at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) in Windhoek, Paulinus Sheyapo, the security manager at the time, has been cleared of all charges in an internal disciplinary hearing over the 18 January 2025 robbery.

In a ruling dated 20 October, hearing chairperson Cor Beuke found that Namdia had failed to prove Sheyapo’s personal responsibility for serious security shortcomings.

Sheyapo faced five main charges relating to access controls, physical and electronic security, staffing and training, and employee screening. The hearing committee cleared him on all counts, finding that he had initiated improvements, introduced additional safeguards and sought approval to modernise security infrastructure.

Beuke said the failure of security measures did not, in itself, establish personal misconduct. Namdia had not sufficiently proved either gross or ordinary negligence in terms of the charges.

The ruling details how longstanding security weaknesses left the company vulnerable when two armed men gained access to its premises with the help of former security employee Joel Angula.

The robbers took hostages and stole diamonds, while chief security officer Francis Eiseb was killed. One of the suspected robbers, Max Endjala, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.

Access control failures

According to the reconstruction of events, Angula arrived at the premises at about 13:18 on 18 January with two men concealed in his vehicle, which had tinted windows. An investigation found that the vehicle was not properly searched. By 14:07, surveillance footage showed the two intruders on the premises.

Beuke found that a proper search would probably have uncovered the men. Although security rules requiring such checks were already in place, Namdia failed to prove that Sheyapo had tolerated their disregard or breached his supervisory duties.

The hearing also found shortcomings in visitor registration. While the armed intruders were already on the premises, three people carrying large bags were admitted after reportedly saying they were expected for a television interview. Some entries in the visitor register were incomplete, although the ruling did not establish any link between these visitors and the robbery.

Warnings dating back to 2023

A Bank of Namibia security inspection in May 2023 had reportedly identified numerous shortcomings in security protocols at Namdia, including staff shortages, faulty access controls, inadequate surveillance and problems with the backup power supply.

In September that year, Sheyapo reportedly proposed security upgrades worth about N$5.7 million, including additional safeguards for highly sensitive areas. However, budget cuts and lengthy procurement processes delayed implementation.

Although the board required the upgrades to be completed by 20 December 2024, the additional security installations were not operational at the time of the robbery. Investigators found that highly sensitive areas remained inadequately protected.

The so-called Red Zone had only a glass security airlock, while additional robust access barriers and multi-stage checks were lacking.

Investigations showed that electronic surveillance was also vulnerable. At about 18:58 on the day of the robbery, one of the intruders approached an electrical distribution board.

The cameras and recording systems failed immediately afterwards, suggesting interference with the power supply. However, Namdia could not prove that Sheyapo had culpably failed to address the relevant technical risks.

Staff shortages

Staffing and emergency preparedness presented further problems. Eiseb left the premises at about 13:37 and returned only at 17:04, leaving no additional senior officer available to oversee security measures during his absence.

Namdia was already operating with limited security personnel. Recruitment had been frozen, while the company was also trying to reduce excessive overtime. Emergency procedures had not been adequately tested.

The company also lacked a functioning programme to regularly screen existing employees for potential insider threats. However, the hearing found no evidence that such screening would have uncovered Angula’s involvement.