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(TALKZIMBABWE) Nguni, not Maguwu to head KP focal group

Nguni, not Maguwu to head KP focal group
By: Floyd Nkomo
Posted: Friday, August 20, 2010 1:38 am

MEMBERS of the Civil Society Coalition have nominated Mr Goodson Nguni of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme local focal point for the sector, not Farai Maguwu, as online media reports had suggested.

A report by pirate radio station, SW Radio Africa, suggested on Wednesday that: "Maguwu will be heading the recently formed 'Local Focal Point' group of civic society organisations, tasked with monitoring the human rights standards of the diamond industry."

It has, however, emerged that Mr Nguni will chair a 13-member technical committee that will assist KP-appointed monitor, Abbey Chikane.

The focal person will, with full independence, present facts and support Mr Chikane in performance of his duties on the overall implementation of the Joint Work Plan.

The Coalition, blocked Mr Maguwu's appointment, saying he was facing criminal charges, so was unfit to lead the Local Focal Point group.

The Coalition also said it wanted a technical committee because it did not think a single person could handle the task; especially one who was as compromised as Mr Maguwu.

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations tried in vain to unilaterally get Mr Maguwu to represent civil society.

Other NGOs rejected this. Nango then boycotted yesterday’s meeting which appointed Mr Nguni.

A letter dated August 18 inviting Nango to attend the meeting read: "Your failure to attend this meeting means that the Civil Society Coalition members who will be available shall go ahead in selecting the focal person or committee that will work with the KP monitor and the Government of Zimbabwe."

At its recent meeting in Russia, the World Diamond Council said civic bodies should come up with a point person to assist Government and the KP.

The NGOs will today formally submit Mr Nguni’s name and those nominated to sit on the technical committee to Government.

The coalition of NGOs took a swipe at Nango for deliberately trying to provoke Government by appointing Maguwu. Yesterday Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa dismissed Maguwu’s nomination, equating him to "a tortoise on the wall".

In an interview, he said: "No one knew of Farai Maguwu until Mr Abbey Chikane was coming for Kimberley Process visits.

"If you see a tortoise on top of a wall, look for its owner."

He said it was known that Maguwu worked for countries that did not want Zimbabwe to sell its diamonds.

Labels: GOODSON NGUNI, KIMBERLEY PROCESS

posted by MrK @ 3:42 AM