CIVIC society organisations in Manicaland province yesterday urged the government to urgently step in and order all diamond mining firms in the Marage area to stop operating until they have been audited.
OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
In a joint press statement, Centre for Research and Development acting director James Mupfumi and the Zimbabwe Natural Resource Dialogue Forum director Freeman Bhoso, said the level of “opaqueness” in the diamond sector had reached alarming levels.
“The civic society working in the extractive sector in Manicaland demands the immediate cessation of all mining operations in Marange to allow independent comprehensive auditing of all mining companies and ensure that the findings are made public,” the statement read.
“The government must immediately engage experts to undertake geological mineral survey of Marange diamond fields in order to ascertain the quantum and value of what remains of Marange diamonds. This survey will be an important negotiation tool for any future engagements with foreign partners.”
This came at a time when government departments and the Parliamentary portfolio committee on indigenisation and economic empowerment have also raised eyebrows over the way the Marange diamonds were being handled.
The groups added: “The government must expeditiously enact a new mineral policy that enshrines accountability and transparency at the same time safeguarding community right. Harmonise the roles of the ministry of Mines and Indigenisation to avoid inconsistencies and overlaps of responsibilities impacting negatively on the communities.”
Mupfumi told journalists that the recent two Antiwerp diamond sales in Belgium where the government received a paltry $11,5 million of the $80,5 million realised from the sale of 1 239 654 carats had confirmed their long-held fears that the sector was fraught with loopholes.
