“I have been to Chiadzwa for three months and I can tell you that only the top officials are benefiting from the diamonds. For a soldier or policeman to think of smuggling diamonds is tantamount to committing suicide,” said a solider who recently returned from the diamond fields.
The soldiers and police officers spend a lot of time away from their wives and only received a meagre salary at the end of the month.
Officers claim that President Robert Mugabe, Vice President Joyce Mujuru and top army officials are the major beneficiaries of the diamonds, with other companies given access to less mineral-rich areas. This has resulted in companies pulling out of Zimbabwe.
Sino Zim, a joint venture between Zimbabwe and China, withdrew from the fields in May citing viability concerns. There are five registered companies in Marange, but only three are operational.
Human rights activists accuse soldiers protecting the diamond fields of committing serious crimes against the local population. Despite an outcry from activists, the army presence has not been disbanded.
Post published in: News