The CRD alleged that the visit last week was aimed at obliterating a damning report compiled by an earlier KPCS fact finding mission to Zimbabwe in July 2009.
The first KPCS team, headed by Liberian deputy mines minister, Kpandel Fiya, issued a damning report at the end of the visit calling for a temporary ban on trade in diamonds from Marange fields until effective security, internal control measures and resources were in place.
Prior to the visit last week, the CRD had issued an alert on August 19, raising alarm that the Kwekwe-based 5th Brigade deployed to the diamond fields was carrying out a clean up operation aimed at driving out panners from the diamond fields ahead of the visit.
Before the end of the week it became apparent the clean up operation was in preparation of the KPCS visit.
CRD said the fact finding mission led by the Namibian mines minister, who currently serves as chairperson of the KPCS rotating secretariat, “did not meet the minimum standards of a professional fact-finding mission.”
Esau said he was convinced there were no rights violations taking place but urged tighter fencing of the fields and more thorough searches of workers.
CRD said it was clear that Zimbabwe had done little to comply with recommendations made by the visiting KPCS in July.
“It is therefore cataclysmic for the KPCS chair to give Zimbabwe a near clean bill of health when diamonds are being looted by senior politicians and unlicensed panners whilst the rest of the population is forced to feed on slogans and tired nationalism.”