There was a time around 2007 when primary schoolteacher, Patrick Mundenda (not his real name), earned a monthly salary that could buy him only two loaves of bread. (Pictured: A house built from the proceeds of illegal diamond mining.)
Now, three years later, he has a beautiful house in rural Mukwada village in Chiadzwa with four bedrooms, surrounded by a security durawall. Adjacent to the house is a smart thatched hut a traditional kitchen that gives a magnificent picture of an outstanding village homestead. Diamonds paved the way from poverty to luxury. Mundenda talks freely about his rags to riches story.
It was becoming difficult for me to look after my family. My salary was pathetic. So I decided to gamble with my life by dealing in diamonds at Chiadzwa. At first it was difficult, but with time I managed to access good stones (quality diamonds). I joined a syndicate that had hardcore dealers that included top military and CIO officials that is when I realised my dream, said Mundenda.
He said top officials deployed at Chiadzwa diamond fields organized civilians into looting to siphon the precious stones into the black market. Civilians living in surrounding villages met the senior security agents who worked with senior Zanu (PF) officials at Chipiri and Kurauwone military camps, where they recruited us into the syndicates. The syndicate system was introduced by top ranked Kwekwe-based 5th brigade soldiers that were deployed at the diamond fields, Mundenda said.
He added that a section of soldiers patrolling the fields in the company of security agents engaged civilians to dig for diamonds. I could easily pocket US$3 000 per week. Though the security agents got a lions share of the precious stone, but our involvement was worth while, he said.
When President Robert Mugabe appointed Chris Mushohwe governor for Manicaland province in 2008, he bemoaned the mercurial rags to riches tale of some young men and women owning the latest and most expensive vehicles and properties. He therefore masterminded the sealing off of Chiadzwa diamond field. While this was a sad scenario for the majority of ordinary illegal panners, it was the most opportune time for top Zanu (PF) security agents.
During his familiarization tour of all districts in Manicaland in 2008, Mushohwe said that everyone would be made to account for their wealth. But, little did he know that he was actually paving the way for corrupt Zanu (PF) officials and top security agents to make money by working in cahoots with hardcore diamond dealers.
When the diamond fever erupted, people from different parts of the country like Harare, Chinhoyi, Beitbridge, Mt Darwin, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and all the corners of the country descended on Chiadzwa diamond field situated about 90km west of the city of Mutare. The precious gem even attracted illegal diamond dealers from African, Asian, European, American and Far East countries.
The majority of the illegal panners, who were desperate Zimbabweans hard done by Mugabes failing government, saw Chiadzwa as the only path to their dreams of survival. A top police officer at Mutare central police station who requested anonymity said: Even though the activities of illegal panners has been drastically reduced, the diamond field has fallen under the control of a select few at the top of the countrys security forces.
These guys have organized themselves into very powerful cartels. We are also now becoming afraid of them because they are above the law, he added. Diamond dealing is not over. There are some sophisticated syndicates that are continuously trading in diamonds illegally. Smuggling of diamonds has actually intensified. Scores of buyers and middlemen secretly trade in diamonds with hardcore buyers coming from far afield places.
He said the smugglers came from Lebanon, Belgium, South Africa, Mozambique and India, and circulated diamonds in the international market.
Post published in: News