CHIMANIMANI - Workers from DTZ OZEGO, a Russian company that is mining diamonds at Charleswood Estate, are allegedly wreaking havoc in the area by harassing villagers loyal to the MDC. The estate is a large commercial farm formerly owned by the MDC (T) treasurer and former MP for Chimanimani, Roy Bennett.According to sources, the Russians are in cahoots with senior Zanu (PF) officials involved in underhand diamond deals.
There are claims of gross human rights abuses perpetrated by the DTZ management led by Alexander Gregory, who has been described as overzealous and untouchable.
Local villagers told The Zimbabwean that there was serious ill-treatment
of settlers and workers at the mine by Gregory.
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 one villager.
He is beating up people and he seems to be the army commander here because the army and police are afraid of him. We have reported cases of assault to the police and nothing is being done, said another.
Many stories were told about him, including claims that he set his dogs on workers and passers-by.
Gregory and some soldiers are 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, said Tafadzwa Masamba.
Collen Sibanda gave a chilling account of how he was brutalised by Gregory.
I was drinking alcohol a fortnight ago at Blue Moon Club. Four Russians led by Alexander (Gregory), who had dogs, entered and asked me silly questions. One dog jumped on my chest and bit me on my shoulders and hands. I complained about that, but Alexander Gregory said he wanted his dog to taste black mans blood, said Sibanda.
Fidely Mutisi, a bottle-store barman, also said he had suffered at Gregorys hands.
Alexander Gregory and his friends demanded that I play music of their choice. When I delayed in taking their orders, Alexander shouted racist remarks and commanded his dog to bite me four times, he said.
An MDC youth, Lovemore Mbiri, said he was visiting his uncle Pardon Mhlanga. When he passed through Charkeswood, accompanied by Maguta, another MDC supporter, they were caught by Gregory, who was with two policemen and two Russians. They were asked for their IDs.
Gregory said it was a no-go area. They searched us and saw our MDC party cards. As we tried to explain, the two Russians and Gregory started beating us on our buttocks using button sticks and tree branches.
They asked us why were supporting Morgan Tsvangirai who wanted them out from mining the diamonds. We were detained for six hours and told us to call (Roy) Bennett to come and rescue us. We were severely injured on our buttocks, said Mbiri.
Post published in: World News