Mpofu told Midlands State University students and authorities last week that that De-Beers was also responsible for the “rudimentary and haphazard illegal mining of the gems” which took place at the fields in 2008.
“My heart bleeds when I imagine how many diamonds were stolen and smuggled out of the country (by De-Beers),” said Mpofu.
However, a top official at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Mines said Mpofu’s claims were an attempt to gain political mileage.
“Exploration of diamonds by De-Beers is actually the exercise which culminated in the discovery of diamond-rich deposits in the conglomerate and alluvial forms at Marange in 2003. Since then, Zanu (PF) officials are the ones who looted the gems,” said the official who refused to be named.
Finance minister Tendai Biti is on record saying Zanu (PF) was corruptly concealing proceeds from Marange and in the process suffocating the economy.
Post published in: News
So De Beers were looting iwe wakatarisa kupi?