Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has filed a lawsuit in the Namibian high court accusing security provider G4S of failing to prevent the January robbery that saw millions in diamonds stolen and a worker killed.
The Namibian government-owned sales and marketing company is seeking NAD 314 million ($18.1 million) from G4S security for the theft of 446 parcels of diamonds stolen in January, according to African media. During the heist, intruders broke into the company’s premises, shot and killed a senior protection officer, and fled with diamonds.
Police arrested two suspects, including a contractor from G4S. In March, Namdia recovered about $2.2 million worth of the stolen diamonds.
In the suit, Namdia alleged that G4S breached the terms of its agreement and was negligent in the performance of the security it had been contracted to provide. In addition, it said its employee was complicit in the heist. The sales and marketing company has also asked the court to award interest at a rate of 20% per year on the $18.1 million, calculated from the date of judgment until the final amount is paid off.
Image: Rough diamonds. (Namdia)