ONE illegal panner was allegedly shot dead, while two others were injured when security guards manning diamond fields in Marange opened fire at them in the early hours of Christmas.
BY OBEY MANAYITI
Although Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa professed ignorance on the matter, saying he had not been in office, NewsDay is reliably informed that the police have since launched investigations into the matter, which took place at the diamond fields owned by Marange Resources.
According to a local pressure group, Marange Development Trust (MDT), more panners were losing their lives or getting injured while trying to illegally enter the diamond fields.
“In the early hours on Christmas Day, one person was shot dead by some overzealous security personnel at one of the concessions in Marange diamond fields,” MDT leader Malvern Mudiwa said yesterday.
“Two other people were injured. After security guards spotted the panners, they ordered them to lie down, but instead of properly apprehending them, they opened fire killing a 33-year-old man from Murwira village in Marange.”
Mudiwa said those responsible for the shooting should be brought to book.
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“As MDT, we strongly condemn the shooting. We have lost approximately four lives within a space of one month. This is the reason why the diamonds will be labelled bloody diamonds. Such brutality should end and we demand action from responsible authorities,” he said.
