THE MDC-T, seeking to create more than one million jobs in five years if elected into government on July 31, says corruption in the mining sector has robbed Zimbabwe of much needed government revenue.
Own Correspondent
In its election manifesto launched last week, the MDC-T said the discovery of diamonds in Marange had become a curse to the people of Manicaland and to Zimbabwe in general instead of rescuing them from poverty.
MDC-T claimed that diamond mining concessions had been awarded to Chinese companies working with some organs of the security establishment, including the military, and this had created an environment of opaqueness where there is no transparency and accountability on diamond revenues.
“Diamond revenues have not changed the lives of the people of Manicaland and Zimbabwean citizens, as Zanu PF fat cats have looted them to fund their lavish lifestyles,” part of an MDC-T statement accompanying the election manifesto, reads.
The MDC-T added that it had a comprehensive plan to ensure that Zimbabwean citizens benefit from the country’s rich mineral endowment.
“We will create a conducive environment for genuine investment in the mining sector, which will create much-needed jobs and revenue.
“An MDC-T government will immediately review mining legislation with a view to making sure that all mining concessions have Zimbabwe’s national interest at heart,” it said.
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“We will nationalise diamonds and ensure that the government goes into partnership with genuine investors.
“An MDC-T government will also immediately establish a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) where revenues from diamonds and other minerals will be deposited.”
The party envisages the SWF to become the country’s savings “pot” that will ensure that future generations would benefit from the country’s finite mineral resources and that the government deploys resources strategically to build a prosperous economy. It adds that MDC-T has a credible plan to get Zimbabwe working again. “From August 1 2013, Zimbabwe’s mining sector will be radically transformed to ensure that every citizen benefits from the country’s rich mineral wealth,” the party adds.
