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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
CRD
calls on Mines Minister Obert Mpofu to resign
Centre
for Research and Development
April 27, 2011
On Friday 22
April 2011 India's Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested
two people, Zohra Desai and Prema Desai for smuggling a 9.72 KGs
/ 48 663 carats consignment of rough diamonds
from Marange. The diamonds are valued at USD 2 million. The
Center for Research and Development (CRD) wishes to thank the government
and the people of India for intercepting diamonds that had been
illegally smuggled from Zimbabwe.
This is not
the first time Marange diamonds without KP certificates have been
seized abroad. In September 2010 a consignment of 4000 carats of
rough diamonds was reportedly seized by the United Arab Emirates
and returned to Zimbabwe. Other parcels suspected to have originated
from Marange were seized in Israel and Belgium in 2010. The large
quantities of diamonds intercepted suggest that this could be the
work of a well coordinated syndicate involving well placed people
with tremendous power in the mining companies and in government.
The fact that government was not aware or pretended not to be aware
of any missing diamonds despite such heavy losses reveals shocking
levels of incompetency and /or corruption.
The failure
by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to improve security
and transparency throughout the diamond supply chain is prejudicing
the government of Zimbabwe of revenue that could make a difference
in the lives of the suffering Zimbabwean people, in particular our
loyal and hard working civil servants. CRD holds the Minister of
Mines and Mining Development, as head of the responsible Ministry,
accountable for the losses.
The Center
for Research and Development calls on:
- Parliament
of Zimbabwe and Cabinet to institute a thorough investigation
into the continued smuggling of diamonds from Zimbabwe.
- The Minister
of Mines and Mining Development to take full responsibility for
the continued loss of revenue due to weak security throughout
the diamond supply chain and unlicensed diamond mining activities,
mainly due to his apparent failure to implement the Joint Work
Plan developed by Zimbabwe and the Kimberly Process Certification
Scheme at Swakopmund, Namibia, in November 2009.
- The Minister
of Mines and Mining Development to apologize to the Head of State
and Government, who is also Commander in Chief of Zimbabwe's
Defense Forces, His Excellency President R.G Mugabe, for betraying
the trust he invested in him when he appointed him Cabinet Minister.
- The Minister
of Mines and Mining Development to publicly apologize for letting
down the nation and resign with immediate effect. This is in the
best interest of government, the people of Zimbabwe and the diamond
industry. We hold the view that self-respecting, ethical, professional
and well meaning people voluntarily resign when they perform way
below expectations, especially when they occupy public offices.
- Law enforcement
agents to leave no stone unturned in bringing the culprits to
book, irrespective of their positions in government, political
affiliation, gender or nationality.
- Zimbabweans
not to participate in illicit diamond activities and to report
any suspicious diamond deals to the nearest Police Station or
government institutions.
- The SADC
region, in particular Mozambique and South Africa, to emulate
India by taking tough action against individuals and syndicates
caught in illegal possession of (Marange) diamonds.
Civil society in the region and in the world to investigate, name
and shame individuals, syndicates, companies and governments involved
in the plunder of Marange diamonds.
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for Research and Development
fact
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