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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Marange, Chiadzwa and other diamond fields and the Kimberley Process - Index of articles
Latest
on DTZ Ozego at Charleswood
Centre
for Research and Development
February 26, 2010
DTZ Ozgeo started operating
at Charleswood in February 2009 and up to today the government has
not revealed to the nation the operations of Ozgeo at Charleswood
and the beneficiaries of these diamond exploits remains a guarded
secret. There is a lot of activity going on at the mine. Several
workers were seen carrying scatting boards and some operating excavators,
which is a sign that serious mining activities of diamonds are taking
place. The CRD research team was refused entry into the mine and
was asked to seek permission at the Companies head office in Penhalonga,
Mutare.
The mine spokesperson
said there was no mining taking place but they were still exploring
the land for diamonds. But one company worker at the mine indicated
that they have discovered the diamond belt and were waiting for
big machines from South Africa, but in the interim they were mining
diamonds on the surface. The CRD also spoke to a Zimbabwean who
speaks fluent Russian at Charleswood. The man is also the interpreter
for the Russians and he appears to have spent several years in Russia,
possibly at a diplomatic posting, indicating the involvement of
very senior government officials in the DTZ OZEGO deal.
Continuation of violence
in Chiadzwa Violence against civilians in Chiadzwa is continuing
unabated. Syndicates operated by the army continue to mine diamonds
in areas under the control of the army. However, there are some
who sneak through the diamond fields without seeking permission
of the military. These are referred to as 'snipers'. Several of
these snipers are caught and subjected to all forms of torture and
brutality by members of Zimbabwe National Army. One of the victims
is 25 year old Muchazondida Guseni. He was caught by soldiers on
15 February 2010 night digging for diamonds. The group of soldiers
told him that they were going to teach him a lesson he was not going
to forget. One of them took the iron rod he was using to dig and
beat him on the right leg and foot. He suffered multiple fractures
and is currently admitted at Mutare General Hospital.
Guseni was beaten together
with his colleagues. He does not know anything about the whereabouts
of his colleagues whom he fears dead. The KPCS has continuously
ordered an immediate withdrawal of the army from Chiadzwa but the
government has remained defiant. Soldiers in Zimbabwe have been
in the forefront of committing gross human rights violations against
civilians.
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