Namibia has been plagued by a series of high-profile financial crimes, many of which remain unresolved. The latest incident, possibly the largest heist in the country's history, occurred on January 18 when armed robbers targeted the headquarters of Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) in Windhoek.

They stole an undisclosed amount of diamonds, resulting in the death of senior protection officer Francis Eiseb, 58. Suspects, including former police officer Joel Angula and Sam Shololo, 45, were arrested, while another suspect died by suicide.

This heist adds to a long list of financial scandals. In 2005, the Social Security Commission (SSC) lost N$30 million invested in Avid Investment Corporation, linked to political figures. Investigations implicated former Deputy Minister Paulus Kapia. That same year, businessman Lazarus Kandara, 40, died in police custody, ruled a suicide.

The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) scandal remains unresolved, with N$660 million loaned to start-ups between 1994 and 2002, and only N$380 million recovered. Missing documents and lack of evidence have hindered efforts to trace the remaining N$600 million.

The SME Bank, established to support small businesses, was liquidated in 2017 after N$200 million vanished in dubious South African schemes. Recovery efforts for N$130 million have cost over N$100 million. Similarly, the Offshore Development Company (ODC) reported N$100 million in public funds missing, with little accountability.

The infamous Fishrot case exposed a bribery network involving government officials and businessmen trading fishing quotas for kickbacks.