The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy in Namibia has referred allegations of corruption, bribery, and irregular diamond exports to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for investigation. The allegations involve Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) chief executive officer Brent Eiseb, Diamond Controller Inspector Vernosius Ndahutuka, an official within the ministry, and a privately owned diamond company. The allegations claim that Eiseb, Ndahutuka, and the unnamed official received financial and other benefits from the diamond company in exchange for facilitating access to large quantities of high-quality diamonds from NDTC.
The allegations, brought to public attention by activist Michael Amushelelo, claim that Eiseb, Ndahutuka, and the unnamed official received benefits from the diamond company, including access to its bank cards, allowing them to withdraw money. The company allegedly purchased two properties in Swakopmund, one reportedly occupied by Eiseb and the other used by Ndahutuka. Although the properties remain registered in the company's name, the individuals are said to cover municipal bills, body corporate fees, and penalty charges associated with the properties.
Eiseb has since been placed on precautionary leave by the NDTC board pending investigations, while Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse confirmed that Ndahutuka is also being investigated. According to the allegations, Eiseb is also alleged to have purchased a Volkswagen Amarok through Autohaus using the company's foreign bank card. Further allegations claim that Eiseb is in a business partnership with Ndahutuka.
The alleged benefits are said to have been provided in exchange for preferential treatment that enabled the company to obtain diamonds from NDTC and export rough diamonds out of Namibia without first processing them locally. Ndahutuka is separately accused of enabling several other diamond companies to circumvent local processing requirements by declaring artificially low values for rough diamonds before exporting them.
The alleged undervaluation of diamonds is said to have resulted in losses in government revenue. In its statement, the ministry said it had taken note of allegations circulating on social media and raised through various whistleblowing channels concerning the alleged conduct of an official within its Directorate of Diamond Affairs and certain employees associated with NDTC.
The ministry confirmed that it would cooperate fully with the ACC and other competent law enforcement authorities in establishing the facts surrounding the allegations. Minister Amutse requested the acting executive director to commence an internal investigation into the allegations against the official concerned in accordance with the Public Service Act of 1995 and the Public Service Staff Rules.
The ministry's internal investigation will examine the conduct of the official concerned, while the ACC investigation will establish the facts surrounding the allegations. The ministry called on anyone holding information or documents relevant to the allegations to provide them to the ACC, assuring the Namibian nation that these allegations are being treated with the seriousness they deserve.
Key points
- The Namibian Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy refers diamond bribery allegations to ACC for investigation.
- Allegations involve NDTC CEO Brent Eiseb, Diamond Controller Inspector Vernosius Ndahutuka, and a privately owned diamond company.
- Eiseb has been placed on precautionary leave by the NDTC board pending investigations.
