Inside Job Claims Deepen as Court Hears Testimony in NAMDIA Heist
By TUW
Fresh testimony presented in the Windhoek Regional Court has strengthened the State’s case that the N$300 million NAMDIA diamond robbery was carefully planned from inside the company.
Former police officer Frederick Vully told the court that he was approached months before the robbery and asked to take part in the plan. Vully testified that in February 2024, former NAMDIA security official Joel Angula met him at a sports stadium and explained how the robbery could be carried out. According to Vully, Angula claimed it would be easy to bypass NAMDIA’s security systems because of inside access.
Vully further told the court that Angula offered to use his personal vehicle to help the group enter the premises through the main gate. Vully said he refused to take part in the plan and later reported the matter to the authorities after the robbery had occurred.
The prosecution argues that this testimony supports its claim that Angula was involved in planning the robbery. Investigators have also told the court that DNA evidence and some of the stolen diamonds were later found at Angula’s residence.
During the robbery, armed suspects entered the facility and fled with a large quantity of rough diamonds. Another suspect involved in the case died during the incident from a gunshot wound. Most of the stolen diamonds have not yet been recovered.
Angula has denied all the charges against him. He claims he was attacked and tied up by the real robbers and has accused the police of planting evidence to frame him.
The court is now considering the new testimony as part of Angula’s bail application. Although some diamonds have been recovered, authorities estimate that gems worth nearly N$260 million are still missing.
During the incident, senior security officer Francis Eiseb was shot and killed while on duty. Eiseb was a Senior Protection Officer responsible for safeguarding the diamond facility. He was described by colleagues as dedicated and committed to his work, and his death shocked both the company and the nation.
