Keetmanshoop Regional Court Magistrate Frans Anderson on Thursday sentenced a 38-year-old man to six years in prison for possession of uncut diamonds.
Mateus Petrus Nakagumbo was initially charged with theft of rough diamonds and disguising the unlawful origin of property.
Nakagumbo pleaded not guilty to these charges but admitted guilt to two alternative counts—possession of unpolished diamonds and possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of Section 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
He was found guilty on both alternative charges.
Magistrate Anderson sentenced him to a fine of N$200,000 or 12 months in prison, along with an additional eight-year prison term, of which three years were suspended for five years on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence during this period.
In delivering his judgement, Anderson acknowledged that Nakagumbo was a first-time offender but emphasized the seriousness of the crime.
He noted that the accused admitted to his actions and pleaded guilty to the alternative charges as a sign of remorse.
The court took into account the personal circumstances of the accused; however, the sentence imposed will have a significant impact on Nakagumbo's children and siblings.
"Accused persons and their relatives need to understand that crime has dire consequences," he stressed.
The magistrate further stated that the gravity of the offence and the broader public interest outweighed Nakagumbo's personal circumstances.
Nakagumbo was found in possession of two unpolished diamonds with a combined mass of 62.85 carats, valued at over N$5.1 million.
The diamonds, which belonged to Namdeb, were discovered in his possession when he was arrested in Oranjemund on 8 January 2023.
The state was represented by prosecutor Abel Manyando, while Nakagumbo was represented by Jonathan Olivier from Shikongo Law Chambers.