It is sitting on some 300 applications and has successfully stymied plans by Zapu’s Zimbabwe Development Trust (DTZ-Ozgeo) to get involved – despite a top level agreement that Zapu officials should be given a place on the gravy train.
Highly placed sources told The Zimbabwean this week that the ZMDC had vowed to block all companies aspiring to mine in Marange if they were considered to lack “proper political credentials”. The latest casualty of this policy is the Zimbabwe Development Trust (DTZ-Ozgeo).
A Central Intelligence Organisation source privy to the goings-on told this newspaper: “DTZ-Ozgeo approached ZMDC for a mining licence but was told in no uncertain terms that it would never conduct business in Marange. ZMDC says the area is for Chinese companies and a few exceptions. Several other indigenous companies have also been chased away.”
The company is seeking an audience with President Mugabe, as the source said the squabbles were part of the factional fighting in Zanu (PF). “There was an agreement in the current Zanu (PF) that former Zapu leaders should significantly benefit from the Marange diamonds as well, after complaints that only non-Zapu leaders were benefitting. But it seems there are people at ZMDC who are being stubborn,” he added.
Started in 1994, DTZ-Ozgeo is a joint venture between a Russian company, which owns 60 percent, and the original DTZ—with 40 percent—established by the late former Vice President, Joshua Nkomo. Before ceding a majority stake to the Russian company, Ozgeo, DTZ management and the board were dominated by members of Zapu, which merged with Zanu to form Zanu (PF) in 1987.
The source said decision-makers at ZMDC and the mines ministry aligned to Emmerson Mnangagwa were opposed to the former Zapu coterie getting a portion of the diamonds. The ministry is headed by Obert Mpofu, who jumped ship from Zapu to join Zanu (PF) before the 1987 Unity Accord. In doing so, he is rumoured to have angered his colleagues.
ZMDC Chairman Goodwills Masimirembwa told this paper the ZMDC was engaged in talks with ZDT-Ozgeo. “We are currently in discussions with ZDT about a possible venture in Marange, but that has to be approved by the (Mines) ministry. ZMDC is sitting on over 300 applications that we are still considering,” he said.
DTZ is currently mining alluvial gold in Penhalonga and small deposits of diamonds in Chimanimani. Diamond rights activist, Farai Muguwu, who has carried out extensive research in Marange, described it as a “clandestine political company”.
Zapu and Zipra, its armed wing, was supported by Russia during the war of liberation, while Zanu and Zanla received most of their support from China. The army, CIO and influential individuals are said to own significant stakes in the Marange diamonds that they are reportedly selling through the back door.
Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki last year implied that an elite few were benefiting from the gems. “Diamond production must not be governed by a predatory elite which is in collusion with mining companies for its own benefit,” he told an SA newspaper. Partnership Africa Canada late last year said that at least $2 billion worth of diamonds had been diverted by individuals linked to Mugabe.
Meanwhile, another source has revealed that numerous companies have been secretly licensed to mine diamonds in Marange. One of them, reportedly fronted by locals from Manicaland, started recruiting personnel on Monday.
“The mine will operate on the periphery of Marange and locals were made to submit their names to a recruiting officer, but there are no details about the company yet. This is how things happen in there—secretly,” she said.
She added that another firm involving blacks and a consortium of Ghanaians, trading as Genyame in Jese Village in Chiadzwa, had recently been granted a licence but had not started full operations.
“Another company named Kusena Diamonds that we believe to be a revival of the banned Sino-Zimbabwe is already operating in the area while another relatively new entity called Rera Diamonds is thought to belong to influential people has also been granted a concession and is set to displace 92 people for its operations,” said the source.
Post published in: News