The fields have since been fenced off against local communities and the army has orders to shoot to kill ‘trespassers’.
Well-placed sources told The Zimbabwean that a fortnight ago, an unidentified man was shot dead by the army at the fields. His colleague was hit with two live bullets in the stomach and went into hiding with the wounds.
Last week, two teenagers Trust Bhebhe and Pride Muponda were shot at and seriously wounded by the army at the mines. They were taken by well-wishers to private hospitals for treatment.
“A few weeks ago, two more men were shot dead by members of the army, but workers at the mines were ordered not to report the killings lest they suffer the consequences,” said the source.
Local traditional leaders, who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, expressed concern at the continued killing of people, some of whom were strangers to the area.
Programmes Coordinator with Chiadzwa Community Development Trust, Melanie Chiponda, said government should create jobs for desperate people risking their lives in a bid to earn a living out of the Chiadzwa diamonds ‘against’ the law. She said diamond panning should be formalised and licensed like gold panning.
Questions forwarded to army spokesperson Col Alphious Makotore were not responded to at the time of going to print.
Post published in: News