The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia), Namibia’s state-owned diamond trading and marketing company, has terminated the employment of its Chief Executive Officer, Alisa Amupolo, with immediate effect.
The dismissal follows the outcome of an independent disciplinary hearing concluded on 23 September 2025, which found Amupolo guilty of two counts of gross negligence and one count of gross insubordination.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Namdia board chairperson Justus Hausiku confirmed the decision, saying the board acted in line with the recommendations of the disciplinary process.
“The Namdia Board of Directors wishes to inform stakeholders that the CEO, Ms. Alisa Amupolo, has been dismissed with immediate effect following a due and fair disciplinary process,” Hausiku said.
He added that the board remains committed to maintaining transparency, accountability, and strong governance within the company.
To ensure continuity, Hausiku announced that Lelly Usiku has been appointed as until a substantive replacement is named.
Amupolo, who was appointed in 2022, had been tasked with driving Namdia’s strategy to expand its footprint in the international diamond market and strengthen the company’s commercial operations.
Her dismissal comes amid growing public scrutiny over governance and performance at several state-owned enterprises.
Namdia assured stakeholders that operations would continue smoothly and reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its mandate of maximizing the value of Namibia’s diamonds for the benefit of the nation.
