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Support for Farai Maguwu's appointment as local focal point
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
August 25, 2010

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition rejects manoeuvres by some government aligned Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) led by Goodson Nguni to replace the Centre for Research and Development (CRD) Director, Mr. Farai Maguwu as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) local focal point nominee. Mr. Maguwu was nominated by bonafide civil society organisations following a decision made in St Petersburg, Russia to have a local focal point representing civil society organisations, in Zimbabwe.

The Coalition reiterates that;

1. The decision to nominate Mr. Maguwu as a focal point is based on the fact that he has requisite technical KPCS related expertise and a proven track record on research and monitoring of diamond related issues, while the organisation he represents is already a member of the civil society coalition in the Kimberley process. In contrast, these 'fly by night' organisations which are opposing Maguwu's appointment have suspicious experience in the KP and seem to have a pre-determined agenda and pre-conceived notions, centred on parochial partisan positions devoid of national or indeed Kimberly Process interests.

2. The purpose of the focal point is to independently and objectively monitor the Marange diamond fields. This means selecting a focal point that is not in the ambit of government or any political party. Mr Nguni's week old "Civic Society Coalition" is already in the ambit of ZANU PF and to prove the point, is advocating for the appointment of a government employee, and well known ZANU PF sympathiser, Mr. Chris Mutangadura as a member of the technical committee monitoring Chiadzwa, and Goodson Nguni as the focal point. Mr. Mutangadura is a Chief Law Officer in the Attorney General's office and as such cannot be referred to as a member of civil society. Civil society refers to the space outside of state control where uncoerced ideas are shared based on set principles. The attempt to railroad Nguni as the focal point betrays the corrupt intentions of Government and ZANU PF cohorts to monitor themselves, contrary to the spirit of the monitoring intentions of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.

3. The argument that Maguwu is on bail is simply meant to derail progress as a person is innocent until proven guilty by the courts. He thus, cannot be prejudiced as the KPCS focal point until he goes to trial and is proven guilty by a competent court of law.

The Coalition emphasises its support for the National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO) publicised decision to nominate Maguwu as the focal point regardless of attempts by surrogate organisations to impose government employees and sympathisers. It is critical for civil society organisations to remain outside the control of government as they play the critical watchdog role and are responsible for ensuring norm compliance by the state. The government needs to be continuously monitored by independent organisations and individuals to ensure that proceeds from the Marange diamonds are accounted for and not used to either fuel political violence or enrich a select few at the expense of the poor majority.

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