This follows the Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) board of directors announcement on Friday regarding the termination of Alisa Amupolo as CEO of Namdia, with immediate effect. 

The general manager for sales and marketing, Lelly Usiku, will continue in her role as interim chief executive officer at the national diamond marketing agency until a permanent appointment is made. 

Amupolo’s dismissal comes after she was found guilty of two charges, namely gross negligence and gross insubordination after an independent disciplinary hearing was concluded on 23 September 2025. According to a Namdia statement, the disciplinary hearing, which commenced in November 2024, concerned operational decisions made by Amupolo that led to the losses of the business between April to August 2023, as well in May 2024, and July 2024. 

Namdia Board Chairperson, Justus Hausiku stated the decision to terminate Amupolo’s employment was not taken lightly and noted the board believes it is in the best interest of the company and its success in a complex, competitive and rapidly evolving market. “The Board would like to thank Dr. Amupolo for her service since 2022 and wish her well in her future endeavours,” he said. 

Hausiku also further confirmed that the termination is not related to the ongoing investigations into the diamond theft that occurred in January 2025 and her subsequent suspension in February 2025, but rather a pre-existing disciplinary hearing. 

“Amupolo has the right to appeal the Board’s decision in accordance with the company’s disciplinary policy and procedures,” Namdia stated. 

After the high-profile heist early this year where hundreds of millions in diamonds were stolen from the national diamond marketing agency, Amupolo, chief operations officer, Uahoroka Kauta and security manager, Paulinus Shiyapo were suspended for precautionary reasons.

During a recent government visit to Namdia, Hausiku acknowledged challenges posed by market volatility and shifting consumer expectations, along with the operational impact of the major security breach in January this year.

Hausiku further noted that the persistent challenges present “real opportunities to reaffirm NAMDIA’s position as a trusted and resilient player in the global diamond trade.”