The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has referred allegations involving an official in its Directorate of Diamond Affairs and employees associated with the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for an independent investigation.

The allegations, which have been circulating on social media and raised through whistleblowing channels, relate to dealings with a privately owned diamond company. In a media statement issued on 2 November, the ministry said Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, referred the allegations and related published material to the Director-General of the ACC on 30 October, requesting an independent investigation.

The ministry confirmed that it would fully cooperate with the commission and other relevant law enforcement authorities. It said it would not comment on the merits of the allegations while the investigation is under way. The minister has also instructed the Acting Executive Director to begin an internal investigation into the allegations against the official concerned, in line with the Public Service Act of 1995 and the Public Service Staff Rules. According to the ministry, the internal process will be conducted objectively and in accordance with the applicable legal and administrative requirements.

]The ministry has called on anyone with relevant information or documents to provide them to the ACC to assist with establishing the facts. In the statement, the ministry said it treats the allegations seriously and does not condone corruption, abuse of public office or the exploitation of weaknesses in regulatory systems. It added that the matter would be subjected to the appropriate investigation and public service procedures, rather than being ignored or dealt with informally.

By Eileen van der Schyff