Maravi

(ZIMBABWE GUARDIAN) Legislators grill Mpofu over diamonds Legislators grill Mpofu over diamonds

Legislators grill Mpofu over diamonds Legislators grill Mpofu over diamonds
By Our Correspondent
March 18, 2010

HARARE – Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu was on Wednesday grilled by MPs behind closed doors after he appealed for the probe into diamond mining activities at Chiadzwa to be held in camera.

The parliamentary investigation follows the minister’s controversial decision to pick two South African companies Canadile and the Reclamation Group (Reclam) for separate joint ventures with the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Company (ZMDC). Reclam partnership with ZMDC gave birth to Mbada Holdings.

“Can I request that members of the press be excused,” said Mpofu.

Committee chairman Edward Chindori-Chininga who is Zanu- PF’s Guruve South, legislator granted the request.

Mpofu appeared before the parliamentary committee, a day after he told a press conference that cabinet had endorsed his selection of the two South African companies.

“The Cabinet has endorsed Mbada and Canadile joint venture partnerships in Chiadzwa and has agreed that the joint venture partnerships are legitimately structured,” Mpofu said.

A report by the Kimberly Process accused soldiers who were then providing security at Chiadzwa of illegally dealing in diamonds from the area. The KP recommended that the security forces be removed and government complied after some resistance.

Last month, the Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku ruled that mining at Chiadzwa should cease pending the finalization against an appeal against a High Court order that said the claims belong to Africa Consolidated Resources (ACR). Early this month ACR submitted a complaint to the KP alleging that Mbada Holdings and Canadile were forging ahead with mining in defiance of the court order.

“As you may be aware, the High Court ruled in September 2009 that ACR mineral rights are and have always been valid over the Marange diamonds field, and that all diamonds ever mined there belong to ACR. More specifically, the Court Order was stipulated to take effect regardless of any appeals.

The Court ruling was ignored by MMCZ, ZMDC, the Ministry and the illegally operating companies,” ACR said.

“We do wish a return to the observance and enforcement of law in our country and the development of the diamond deposit for the true benefit of my nation and its people.

“The KPCS’ role must surely include guiding Zimbabwe towards a transparent and legal extraction and sale of its national assets.”

Labels: BLOOD DIAMONDS, CHIADZWA, DIAMONDS, MINING, OBERT MPOFU, RECLAM, ZMDC

posted by MrK @ 4:41 AM