WINDHOEK, May 9 (AGCNewsNet) – Three family members linked to the N$315 million Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) heist have been arrested after authorities flagged their suspicious spending habits following the January robbery that rocked Namibia’s diamond industry.

George Cloete, his wife Charmaine Cloete, and brother Bino Cloete were detained on Monday after a spree of luxury purchases, including several vehicles, electronics, household items, and a tyre mag changer. Police say the trio had been withdrawing large sums of cash daily and acquiring assets rapidly, raising red flags.

The stolen diamonds, taken from Namdia’s Windhoek offices in January, have led to a wider investigation into possible security breaches and organized crime networks. Only N$40.6 million worth of the diamonds have so far been recovered.

The Cloetes are charged with violating the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and Diamond Act and were denied bail when they appeared before the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court. The case resumes on August 7.

A security guard—allegedly a relative of the suspects—who was present during the heist is believed to be the mastermind but remains at large.

The heist previously resulted in the suspension of Namdia’s top executives and claimed the lives of Namdia's head of security Francis Eiseb and suspect Max Endjala. This brings the total number of arrests to six.

Namdia says it has begun a full-scale internal investigation and implemented urgent security upgrades while following the Public Procurement Act for emergency contracting.

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Source: AllAfrica