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Namibia - in the search of diamonds - 1998

Namibia - in the search of diamonds - 1998

Jacek Pałkiewicz
2006-06-18 22:40:07

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story about a chemist whose suspicions were roused by an African who regularly came into his shop to buy castor oil. The chemist realized that the oil was probably being used to help the African free himself of swallowed diamonds. He passed the information to the authorities and the individual was arrested, but not before he had unwittingly revealed an entire network of accomplices.

300 of the mine's 5,600-strong workforce work for security, not counting "collaborators", who are paid by De Beers to buy contraband diamonds. Smuggling cost the company at least 380,000 dollars a year and only the security services' ruthless methods prevent the figure from being even higher. Once they arrive in Europe, moreover, the smuggled diamonds also have the effect of destabilizing the price set by the company.
How are the diamonds smuggled? There are many ways, some traditional, some casual, others carefully planned. Many swallow the diamonds, others hide them in the heels of their shoes. Sometimes they are thrown outside the thick fence of the mine compound; occasionally, with great daring, a helicopter, boat or plane will land on the beach to take off the booty. It is always a risky undertaking. The mine is surrounded by a double fence more than three meters high, which is electrified in some stretches. Guard dogs prowl the perimeter of other sectors. Jeeps with armed guards make the rounds and a helicopter makes at least one aerial survey every day.

A few years ago a light aircraft landed on the beach. A sacked former security guard of the company had hidden a bag of diamonds in the sand and made an agreement with a pilot to pick the gems up. Unfortunately for the two accomplices the plane could not get off the ground and the guard's former colleagues arrested them both.
I remember that in 1979 a certain Tony Drayton became very wealthy in a short space of time extracting diamonds from the sea bottom using a kind of underwater vacuum ...

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My youngest son was born in Oranjemund in 1972. We left there in 1974 having enjoyed all the facilities there at the time. Many a time my son has expressed a wish to return to his birth place, out of interest,To see his roots. There certainly was a high divorce rate there at that time, but we found it a friendly place. We left our Bull Terrier dog with one of the security families, & often wondered about him. He was called 'Buzzy' & the children missed him loads. Unfortunately the ill health of my mother lead to our return to the uk.A good move...Maybe ....who knows, it was a lovely rugged country, with good education for the younger children, fantastic health provision, & great opportunities to enhance ones status, carreer wise. We never kept in touch with anyone there, but no doubt they have all moved on by now. With the security still so very tight, I dont suppose my son James will ever fulfill his wish. It would be nice though.If there is a possibility, & anyone could help, we can be contacted via 'gsmith404@btinternet.com' Very interesting article.

Pat Smith, 2007-03-28 23:39:34