Diamond inspectors ‘not a deterrent to theft’
Ministry faces shortage of inspectors
The theft of diamonds will be mitigated if diamond polishers and mining operations introduce improved security plans, Alweendo said.
Mines minister Tom Alweendo says while diamond inspectors play a critical role in the industry, it is not sufficient to discourage the theft of the gems from mines and polishing factories.
This comes amid a shortage of diamond inspectors currently employed by the ministry. The ministry currently only has 19 diamond inspectors out of a budgeted 40, while the recruitment of eight diamond inspectors is ongoing.
“With everything you have got, if people intend to steal something, they will probably try and figure out how to steal it,” Alweendo said.
According to him, the theft of diamonds would be mitigated if diamond polishers and mining operations introduced improved security plans.
“In addition to the diamond inspectors, you are probably going be better served by making sure the security plan is reviewed every now and then,” he said.
“The idea of saying you need to have 100 inspectors at every operation, it would mean you would have someone at every factory. You have to have inspectors everywhere,” he added.
It was a key requirement that diamond polishers and producers have proven security plans in place to discourage theft, Alweendo noted.
“We do have processes in place. You have to give us your security plan and then we have to approve it,” he said.
This comes amid a shortage of diamond inspectors currently employed by the ministry. The ministry currently only has 19 diamond inspectors out of a budgeted 40, while the recruitment of eight diamond inspectors is ongoing.
“With everything you have got, if people intend to steal something, they will probably try and figure out how to steal it,” Alweendo said.
According to him, the theft of diamonds would be mitigated if diamond polishers and mining operations introduced improved security plans.
“In addition to the diamond inspectors, you are probably going be better served by making sure the security plan is reviewed every now and then,” he said.
“The idea of saying you need to have 100 inspectors at every operation, it would mean you would have someone at every factory. You have to have inspectors everywhere,” he added.
It was a key requirement that diamond polishers and producers have proven security plans in place to discourage theft, Alweendo noted.
“We do have processes in place. You have to give us your security plan and then we have to approve it,” he said.
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