COMMUNITIES in Marange diamond mining area have called for the strict monitoring of the newly-established Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) mining operations to avoid further pilferage of the country’s resources.
BY CLAYTON MASEKESA
Government early this year ceased operations of nine diamond companies following their failure to renew operating licences, amid reports they had failed to account for all the gems they mined.
During an emotional community monitoring workshop on environmental, economic and socio-cultural rights — initiated by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association and Action Aid held in Mutare on Friday, the communities said ZCDC should account for all diamond resources by publicly publishing what they were mining and their value.
Marange Development Trust (MDT) chairperson Malvern Mudiwa also called for strict adherence to human rights by the mining companies.
“We have many issues to discuss with ZCDC. There are a lot of unfinished businesses, and there are also unfulfilled promises that need to be addressed,” he said.
“We need transparency in all the operations. They should publish what they are paying and how many diamonds have been mined and how much has been realised from such sales.” Josphat Makaza, from Chiadzwa Community Development Trust, said the new mining company should take a leading role in ensuring that communities benefited from their natural resources.
“We now demand that ZCDC should be very transparent in its all operations. Opaque mining practices have deeply impoverished local communities, while pillaging the country’s natural resource for individual gain. We do not want that to happen again,” Makaza said.
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