Mafia Allegedly Gains Foothold in Namibian Diamond Industry

The son of Namibia’s former president and former head of the country’s National Central Intelligence Services (NCIS) has been accused of assisting the Sicilian mafia gain a foothold in Namibia’s nascent diamond cutting industry.

Zackey Nefungo Nujoma, allegedly helped mafiosos acquire an unused diamond cutting and polishing license.

Nujoma has denied that he is linked to either Avila Investments or Marbella Investments, suspected of being front companies for the Sicilian mafia. He has reportedly dismissed purported organized crime links as “an old CIA story”.

According to Namibian media reports, the brother of Vito Palazzolo, convicted in 1998 by a Swiss court for money laundering, is named as one of Avila’s directors. Palazzolo is being tried in absentia on money laundering and racketeering charges in an Italian court.

Namibia Diamond Commissioner Kennedy Hamutenya confirmed Avila and Marbella obtained their licenses in 2005 by buying those of Mumbai diamantaire SN Sharma, one of the first six initial Namibian licenses issued under the Namibian Diamond Act.

The country has yet to table its Organized Crime and Money Laundering Bill in parliament, which would outlaw transactions whose the beneficiaries are hidden.