PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday praised Botswana for being transparent in its diamond mining industry which he said had transformed many lives in that country, while in Zimbabwe the discovery of the precious mineral had become a curse.
Report by Everson Mushava
Tsvangirai, who is currently in Botswana on a working visit, was touring a diamond mining company yesterday soon after his 30-minute meeting with Botswana President Ian Khama.
The MDC-T leader bemoaned lack of beneficiation in Zimbabwe’s diamond industry which he said starved the country of the much-needed employment while creating thousands of jobs in countries like India.
Reports claim over 60 000 jobs have been created in India because of Zimbabwe’s diamonds, a far cry from the number of people employed back home.
“The Prime Minister said Africa had plenty of resources yet its people remain poor. He praised Botswana’s diamond industry for transforming the country’s economy,” Luke Tamborinyoka, Tsvangirai’s spokesperson told NewsDay.
Tamborinyoka said his boss met with Khama and appraised him on the developments in the country, particularly on the constitution-making process.
“President Khama promised to support Zimbabwe in ways his country could manage,” Tamborinyoka said.
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Tsvangirai also met Botswana Vice-President Mompati Merafhe who told him of his desire to see all pending bilateral agreements between the two countries finalised.
“The PM will tomorrow (today) meet all ministers who have pending bilateral agreements with Zimbabwe to see how best they can be concluded,” he added.
Tamborinyoka said Tsvangirai would address Zimbabweans living in Botswana in Gaborone today before he heads back home.
