Prince Mupazviriho is the new mines permanent secretary.
Musukutwa is accused of having been the ring leader of a racket of diamond barons who have been siphoning the precious mineral from illegal claims around Chiadzwa diamond fields.
The proceeds are understood to have been bypassing his top Zanu (PF) masters who then campaigned for his ouster.
When diamonds were discovered in Somabhula, Musukuta suspended the region’s Mines Commissioner E Dube after he had stood firm in defending Migael Casper Govner, the owner of the field in which the treasure had been found.
Govner’s field had been grabbed by a local Zanu (PF) grouping called Women in Mining, with the blessing of Midlands Governor and Chairperson, Jaison Machaya.
Deputy Mines Minister Gift Chimanikire told The Zimbabwean that he had not been updated on the circumstances that led to the reassignment of Musukutwa.
“He (Musukutwa) just came to me when he was going and he bade me farewell. I was not even privy to the correspondence about his move. Mupazviriho is our new permanent secretary,” Chimanikire said.
Efforts by MDC to initiate an audit of Chiadzwa diamonds have not succeeded, amid reports are that Zanu (PF) chefs are plundering the gems.
Post published in: Business