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About the Centre for Research and Development
Centre for Research and Development
February 27, 2010

Why we research

The Center for Research and Development(CRD) is the leading voice investigating and exposing high level corruption by government officials and gross human rights violations by state security agents in Chiadzwa diamond fields. We are of the opinion that Zimbabwe's resources are the panacea to the country's economic problems. Foreign aid and borrowing can be radically reduced and eventually eliminated if the Zimbabwean leaders and the population unite to promote good governance of the country's vast natural resources. Sadly there is dearth of information regarding Zimbabwe's natural resource extraction, save for political rhetoric touted by the country's political elites who, despite parcelling the country among themselves and their foreign allies, continue to emphasise that 'Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans'. The chorus to demand accountability and transparency regarding the country's natural resources ought to grow louder by the day. This onerous task is too big to be left in the hands of a few civic organisations as doing so belittles the role natural resources play in a country's well-being. It is immoral and obscene for a few individuals, howbeit well connected and powerful, to swim in an ocean of affluence whilst the population is marooned on the no-man's-land between starvation and malnutrition.

Like in any struggle, it is important for the oppressed to know their oppressors, understand the methods used to oppress them and design responses to the problem. Research becomes pivotal in gathering information regarding the location of natural resources in the country, identify the current exploiters and work collectively towards correcting the situation. The CRD is thus committed to get into the jungles of Zimbabwe to unearth crucial information upon which a credible campaign demanding good governance of Zimbabwe's natural resources will be built. Our research is authentic and reliable, without fear or favour.

What we research on

Our research is primarily on natural resource exploitation, ranging from land use to mineral extraction. Although of late we have mainly focussed on the diamond industry, our scope far exceeds the diamond fields to encompass other natural resources within the length and breadth of Zimbabwe. Below are some of the issues currently being researched on by the CRD

(i) Expropriation of Zimbabwe's resources

The stagnation, or should we say decline, of Zimbabwe's economy does not reflect the massive extraction of the country's natural resources which are being shared between political elites and foreign nationals. In many cases mining licenses were issued irregularly after some senior government officials had received kickbacks from foreign companies. In such cases foreign companies pay rent to particular individuals at the expense of local communities and central government. The irregular issuance of mining licenses to Mbada diamonds and Canadile mining and the improper appointment of the board members of these companies by the Ministry of Mines is the summary measure of the degree to which corruption has reached stinking levels in Zimbabwe. In a country that upholds the principles of good governance Minister Obert Mpofu, his deputy Murisi Zvizvai and their permanent secretary, Thankful Musukutwa should have been shown the exit door for flouting government laid down tender regulations when awarding mining licenses to Mbada and Canadile. The biggest victims of such irresponsible behaviour by public officials are the ordinary Zimbabweans who continue to listen to the old and boring song whose only lyric is 'the government has no money'

The CRD has formed a team of eminent community leaders to disseminate research findings to the local communities informally. These eminent community leaders include religious leaders, traditional chiefs and senators. They receive simplified researched information which they feed back to their particular constituencies, be they churches, rural wards or senatorial constituencies. There is need to conscientize Zimbabweans on the root cause of their misery in order to build a national campaign against the rampant looting of national resources. Exposing corrupt leaders will help the electorate screen candidates ahead of elections.

(ii) Human Rights issue violations

The CRD believes in the rights based approach to development. In other words we view development as a human right. Our work may ultimately lead to the prosecution of those committing economic crimes against the people of Zimbabwe.

Further, the CRD gathers information and records of human rights violations, in particular those committed by the uniformed forces against civilians. The CRD has zero tolerance for state sponsored violence. We believe the first and most important duty of any civilised government is to protect its citizens. In an effort to expose the gruesome murder of innocent Zimbabweans by the state under Operation Hakudzokwi, the CRD filmed a documentary, Zimbabwe's Blood Diamonds, in collaboration with its South African based partners. The documentary drew the attention of the world to the horrors and illicit deals of Chiadzwa. The documentary reveals all forms of abuse perpetrated by the uniformed forces in Chiadzwa which include murder, torture, rape and robbery. President Mugabe has often said 'Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans'. We can't agree more with him! If so then we have the right to demand that all Zimbabweans, regardless of gender, race, religion or political affiliation, live freely and peacefully.

Boldness is required to confront the deep culture of corruption and human rights violations and sacrifices have to be made. Threats have been issued against us and we continue to operate in a hostile environment where the few privileged ones are determined to protect their interests by any means necessary. The CRD invites Zimbabwe's civil society to take a firm and united position against looting of national resources by senior government officials in partnership with foreign nationals. Unless we unite and confront this vice, the future of our beautiful country is bleak.

How we research

The CRD research is field based, involving sending out researchers to the field for the gathering of raw data. Our first stage is general information gathering where we search for clues as to where and how certain issues are being handled. After general information gathering we move on to design the appropriate methodologies that can be employed in order to obtain basic facts that are based on empirical evidence.

The snowball method

This is our most treasured research method. When investigating human rights violations the first source will lead us to the second source who in turn will lead us to another source(s) and so on. This method helps to protect our researchers as they are guided from victim to victim without straying into the path of perpetrators. Further, when a victim sees the researcher coming in the company of another victim, he / she can open up to the researcher without any suspicion whatsoever. In the process the CRD uses the opportunity to offer counselling to victims, some of whom are still traumatized by the horrors they went through in Chiadzwa.

Verification of data

Before sharing any information with our partners we conduct verification trips in order to ensure the information sent out is authentic and accurate to the best of our knowledge. We are aware that those we seek to expose are ready to pounce on us at the earliest opportunity, hence we endeavour to apply professional ethics to our research to the best of our ability.

Governance

The CRD is governed by an international board comprising 4 men and two women. The board is responsible for policy formulation, program design

How you can support the vision

The CRD accepts donations in cash and kind in order to ensure uninterrupted and efficient programming

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