BY KENNETH NYANGANI
ZIMBABWEANS are more interested in knowing how the revenue from the diamonds sales is being used rather than the continual hosting of diamond security meetings, a research and advocacy organisation has said.
Speaking at an emotionally charged Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) stakeholder’s diamond security feedback meeting in Mutare on Monday, Centre for Natural
Resource Governance director Farai Maguwu said people were more interested in where diamond revenue was going.
“I believe the feeling with all Zimbabweans is about where the diamond money is going rather than the security. People are now interested in the revenue,” Maguwu said
Quizzed further on the sidelines of the meeting, the outspoken Maguwu said they now needed indabas on diamond revenues.
“I was referring to the constant security indabas by (ZCDC). They just have to stop torturing and killing artisanal miners. We now need indabas on diamond revenue,” he said
“Zimbabweans want development from Marange to Victoria Falls. Killing of people is not an achievement, but building roads and hospitals and reviving industries is.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Although it is important to hold these stakeholders indabas, but we have made it clear that the security situation in Marange is appalling. Only ZCDC and government can stop the abuses of artisanal miners who you want to call illegal miners.”
Marange Development Trust official, Malvern Mudiwa said while security meetings were important, diamond revenue meetings were also crucial.
“Yes, it is important to have revenue indabas because the community wants to know where the money is going,” he said.
Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba blasted individuals who were accumulating wealth through corrupt diamond deals.
The diamond security meeting is the third to be hosted by the company in eastern border city since 2018.
