CHIMANIMANI - Senior Zanu (PF) officials are working in cahoots with DTZ OZEGO, a Russian mining company, to secretly mine diamonds at Charleswood Estate, a large commercial farm formerly owned by the MDC-T Treasurer and former legislator for Chimanimani, Roy Bennett.
The Zimbabwean made an investigation at Charleswood Estate and can confirm that indeed mining activities have been going on for a year now. The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) also made some visits and confirmed that senior Zanu (PF) officials were involved in underhand diamond dealings. Bennetts farm is located 25 km from Chimanimani business centre and was invaded by war veterans at the height of the infamous land reform programme in 2000.
CRD reports that there have been some gross human rights abuses perpetrated by the DTZ management led by Alexander Gregory and overzealous Robert Mugabe police and soldiers. The area is now highly protected by soldiers from all over the country. In addition, policemen from Chipinge are guarding the area. Good quality diamonds are being mined, similar in quality to those being mined at Chiadzwa, and secretly sold in Mozambique through some syndicates who have ready buyers in areas like Manica, Chimoio and Beira.
Local villagers have told The Zimbabwean that there was gross ill-treatment of settlers and workers at the mine by the DTZ management. Freedom of movement is infringed because people are not allowed to go and see their relatives or to buy maize at the area. Alexander is a rabid racist with an undying quest of abusing workers and trespassers, said a concerned villager. Many unconfirmed stories were told about him, including a report that he sets his dogs on workers and passersby.
Soldiers have made the area impassable by beating up motorists who do not live in the area on suspicion that they want to buy diamonds illegally. The soldiers have also been brutally assaulting villagers caught panning on the farm, Tafadzwa Masamba of Ngangu township.
Below are some of the cases recorded by the CRD:
Name of Victims of Charleswood Diamonds
1) Name: Collen Sibanda
ID: 44-060536L-44
Sex: Male
Residential Address: 72 Nyanga, Chimanimani District
Age: not given
Story: He was drinking alcohol on the 7th of February 2010 at Blue Moon Club. Four Russians who had dogs entered and asked him silly questions. One dog jumped on his chest. He complained but Alexander Gregory said he wanted his dog to taste black mans blood.
2) Name: Emanuel Manyande
ID: 44-078199K-44
Sex: Male
Residential Address: 183 Gilson Street, Chimanimani District
Age: 34
Story: He went to Charleswood to buy honey. He was caught by police who accused him of panning for diamonds. He was threatened by police and detained for more than 7 hours.
3) Name: Fidely Mutisi
ID: 44-014133Y-44
Sex: Male
Residential Address: 1058 Ngangu, Chimanimani District
Age: 30
Story: Mutisi is a bar man. Alexander Gregory and his friends demanded Mutisi to play music of their choice. When Mutisi delayed in taking their orders, Alexander shouted racist remarks and commanded his dog to bit Mutisi four times.
4) Name: Bvunzanai Chaonwa
ID: 44-003127 K 44
Sex: Male
Residential Address: 819 Ngangu, Chimanimani District
Age: 27
Story: Chaonwa drove to Charleswood in January 2010 to buy maize. Police stopped and searched his car. He was beaten by police and lost one of his front teeth.
5) Name: Lovemore Mbiri
ID: 75-0880485 S 44
Sex: Male
Residential Address: Chimanimani Medium Density
Age: 29
Story: Mbiri paid a visit to his uncle Mr. Mhlanga. He passed through Charleswood farm accompanied by Pardon Maguta. They were caught by three men who asked for their IDs and said it was a no go area. As Mbiri tried to explain, the three men started beating them on their buttocks using button sticks and tree branches. They were detained for six hours. Both Mbiri and Maguta were severely injured on their buttocks.
6) Name: Morgan Mucharira
ID: 44-062931P44
Sex: Male
Residential Address: 1312 Garikai St, Chimanimani
Story: He went to Charleswood to buy maize in October 2009. He was caught by three policemen who accused him for being a buyer. They kicked and beat him on his back. He suffered internal injuries on his back and waist. The three policemen continued beating him and one of them pulled off his dread locked hair injuring him in the process
Post published in: News