Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Civic groups refuse Mpofu cash offer

Civic groups refuse Mpofu cash offer
24/11/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter I AP

CIVIC activists say they will not accept Mines Minister Obert Mpofu’s offer of funds because it would hamper their efforts to make government accountable for its diamond revenues.

Farai Maguwu, director of a new minerals watchdog, Centre for Natural Resources Governance, said Mpofu's offer of 1 percent of all diamond sales to civic groups would "compromise our neutrality."

He said the non-governmental organizations need their independence to "criticize and pressure" the state to account for its diamond mining activities.

Mpofu earlier said that the government wants to "extend an olive branch" to civic groups that are interested in diamond mining in Marange.

The civic groups also said the shroud of secrecy surrounding the operations at Marange was unhelpful and fed the unending speculation over the country’s diamond industry.

Said Crisis Coalition director, Macdonald Lewanika: “Who really knows what is happening in Chiadzwa, outside the people who do the mining?

“So if you are from the civil society and you want to talk authoritatively about what is happening in Chiadzwa, how can you do that when you don’t have access?
“If you are not from Anjin, Mbada Diamonds and ZMDC, how do you know what is happening?”

Speaking at a recent workshop in Harare, Lewanika also expressed concern over threats by the government to prosecute civic organisations over their campaign for greater transparency at Marange.

“Just two days ago the Attorney General together with the Minister (Obert) Mpofu made loud declarations which a lot of us saw as a threat, that if you go about talking about things that you do not know concerning diamonds, you will be prone to prosecution and arrest,” he said.

“Whatever little information we have we now have to relay it under a huge blanket and cloud of fear. People like (Attorney General Johannes) Tomana are not people you would take for granted.”

Labels: OBERT MPOFU

posted by MrK @ 7:37 PM