CrimeJan 06, 2025
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Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery at Namibian Diamond Co.
Francis “Gosh” Eiseb, 58, was a senior protection officer for Namib Desert Diamonds, also known as Namdia, in Windhoek, Namibia.
A security guard was shot to death and an unspecified amount of diamonds were stolen in an armed robbery that happened Saturday at Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd., a diamond sales and marketing company in Windhoek, Namibia. (Photo courtesy of Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd.)
Windhoek, Namibia—A senior security officer at a diamond company in the Namibian capital of Windhoek was killed over the weekend in an armed robbery.
According to a statement issued Sunday by Alisa Amupolo, CEO of Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. (Namdia), the armed robbery happened Saturday in the early evening hours and involved four suspects.
During the robbery, the company’s senior protection officer, 58-year-old Francis “Gosh” Eiseb, was shot and killed.
The suspects fled Namdia’s facility with an unspecified amount of diamonds.
Amupolo said Sunday that one of the suspects died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, one had been arrested by police, and two were on the run and wanted by police.
On Wednesday, daily newspaper The Namibian reported that one suspect in the case has been charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of uncut diamonds and is being held without bail, while a second suspect also has been charged but has not appeared in court because he is in the hospital.
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According to a statement issued Sunday by Alisa Amupolo, CEO of Namib Desert Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. (Namdia), the armed robbery happened Saturday in the early evening hours and involved four suspects.
During the robbery, the company’s senior protection officer, 58-year-old Francis “Gosh” Eiseb, was shot and killed.
The suspects fled Namdia’s facility with an unspecified amount of diamonds.
Amupolo said Sunday that one of the suspects died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, one had been arrested by police, and two were on the run and wanted by police.
On Wednesday, daily newspaper The Namibian reported that one suspect in the case has been charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of uncut diamonds and is being held without bail, while a second suspect also has been charged but has not appeared in court because he is in the hospital.
The newspaper also reported the value amount of the stolen diamonds as N$350 million (about $19 million).
A spokesperson for Namdia declined to comment on the newspaper’s report, citing the active investigation.
Amupolo said in her statement issued Sunday that a joint press conference between Namdia and the Namibian Police Force would be announced imminently.
However, in update shared via social media Wednesday, the company said the press conference has been postponed due to the ongoing investigation.
A memorial service for Eiseb is scheduled to take place today at 7 p.m. local time at the Pentecostal Protestant Church in Windhoek.
Namdia described Eiseb, who had worked for the company since 2019, as a “true Namdian gem” and a “fallen hero” who bravely and selflessly put his life on the line to protect his colleagues and Namdia’s assets.
“We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Mr. Eiseb’s wife, children, grandchildren, [and] entire bereaved family and friends during this difficult time,” the company said.
Namdia described Eiseb, who had worked for the company since 2019, as a “true Namdian gem” and a “fallen hero” who bravely and selflessly put his life on the line to protect his colleagues and Namdia’s assets.
“We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Mr. Eiseb’s wife, children, grandchildren, [and] entire bereaved family and friends during this difficult time,” the company said.
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