(SUNDAY MAIL ZW) Police hunt down British journalists
Sunday, 11 August 2013 00:00
Sunday Mail Reporter
Police in Harare have launched a manhunt for British journalists Jerome Starkey and Jan Raath for spreading falsehoods that Zimbabwe signed a secret deal to export uranium to Iran for the manufacture of “a nuclear weapon”. In a case likely to embarrass the British media, outgoing Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Mr Gift Chimanikire yesterday denied statements the journalists attributed to him confirming the said deal.
Mr Chimanikire, in an interview with The Sunday Mail, described the story as “silly, speculative and dangerous”. The Secretary for Mines and Mining Development, Mr Prince Mupazviriho, also revealed that Zimbabwe does not have a uranium mine.
While police remained tight-lipped last night for fear of jeopardising investigations, impeccable sources privy to the case said law enforcement agents were keen to interview the two scribes and Mr Chimanikire.
In a story published under the headline “Mugabe signs secret deal to sell uranium to Tehran” in British newspaper The Times yesterday and picked by numerous news agencies, Starkey and Raath alleged the Government undertook to supply Iran raw materials for nuclear weapon production in breach of international sanctions.
Quoting Mr Chimanikire, the two journalists, who co-authored the article with Michael Evans and Hugh Tomlinson, also wrote that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed last year to facilitate the exports.
The article could undermine Zimbabwe’s foreign relations.
The United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme citing fears that Tehran intends to construct a bomb.
Iranian authorities have, however, since made it clear that the programme seeks to harness energy.
Mr Mupazviriho dismissed the journalists’ report as false, adding that Zimbabwe does not even have a uranium mine.
“That is a blatant lie. Whoever is saying that is being malicious. We have never issued any licence to any Iranian company. We do not have any uranium mine at the moment,” said Mr Mupazviriho, who also chairs Zimbabwe’s Mining Affairs Board, which, among other duties, considers mineral exports.
Mr Chimanikire said Government has not issued uranium mining licences since exploration was still being conducted in Kanyemba, Zambezi Valley.
He said Starkey deliberately misrepresented information he gave him in an interview last Thursday to tarnish the image of Zimbabwe.
“I wouldn’t have said that (the alleged uranium deal). No licence has been issued. I never said such a silly thing. We are exploring and not mining. He thought of selling his paper by being untruthful. I tried to call him after hearing about the article, but his phone is not reachable.
“It is a speculative and dangerous story. We have nothing to export because we have not mined. He just showed the typical mentallity bent on saying negative things about Zimbabwe.”
Mr Chimanikire, a high-ranking MDC-T official, said Starkey approached him for the interview while also clearly demonstrating a preconceived agenda to soil Zimbabwe’s diamond trade.
“That journalist was very notorious (mischievous). His name is Jerome Starkey, the Africa correspondent for The Times of London. He came to my office on Thursday asking whether Zimbabwe’s economy would recover.
“I gave him a synopsis of the mining sector. I told him that figures released at the recent Mine Entra showed that we need US$5 billion to recapitalise the sector. His (Starkey’s) thrust was to say diamonds are being stolen. So, I told him that: ‘No, there is no proof.’”
He added: “I also told him of our mineral reserves and that exploration is yet to be conducted in some areas. When I told him that uranium exploration was taking place in Kanyemba, Zambezi Valley, he then asked who our customers were and whether Iran was among them.
“I told him ‘no’, we do not determine customers; we market through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe. I also pointed out that in any case, we cannot be in a position to export uranium. I also mentioned that the Iranians were into textiles here.
“He then insisted on allegations of diamond theft to which I replied saying inspectors are allowed to go into Chiadzwa (Diamond Fields).”
Labels: GIFT CHIMANIKIRE, IRAN, JAN RAATH, JEROME STARKEY, JOURNALISM, PROPAGANDA, UK, URANIUM
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(TALKZIMBABWE) Chimanikire denies Zim-Iran uranium deal story
This article was written by Our reporter on 11 August, at 07 : 36 AM
Police in Harare have launched a manhunt for British journalists Jerome Starkey and Jan Raath for spreading falsehoods that Zimbabwe signed a secret deal to export uranium to Iran for the manufacture of “a nuclear weapon”.
In a case likely to embarrass the British media, outgoing Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Gift Chimanikire yesterday denied statements the journalists attributed to him confirming the said deal.
Chimanikire described the story as “silly, speculative and dangerous”.
The Secretary for Mines and Mining Development, Prince Mupazviriho, also revealed that Zimbabwe does not have a uranium mine.
While police remained tight-lipped last night for fear of jeopardising investigations, impeccable sources privy to the case said law enforcement agents were keen to interview the two scribes and Chimanikire.
In a story published under the headline “Mugabe signs secret deal to sell uranium to Tehran” in British newspaper The Times yesterday and picked by numerous news agencies, Starkey and Raath alleged the Government undertook to supply Iran raw materials for nuclear weapon production in breach of international sanctions.
Quoting Mr Chimanikire, the two journalists, who co-authored the article with Michael Evans and Hugh Tomlinson, also wrote that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed last year to facilitate the exports.
The article could undermine Zimbabwe’s foreign relations.
The United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme citing fears that Tehran intends to construct a bomb.
Iranian authorities have, however, since made it clear that the programme seeks to harness energy.
Mupazviriho dismissed the journalists’ report as false, adding that Zimbabwe does not even have a uranium mine.
“That is a blatant lie. Whoever is saying that is being malicious. We have never issued any licence to any Iranian company. We do not have any uranium mine at the moment,” said Mupazviriho, who also chairs Zimbabwe’s Mining Affairs Board, which, among other duties, considers mineral exports.
Chimanikire said Government has not issued uranium mining licences since exploration was still being conducted in Kanyemba, Zambezi Valley.
He said Starkey deliberately misrepresented information he gave him in an interview last Thursday to tarnish the image of Zimbabwe.
“I wouldn’t have said that (the alleged uranium deal). No licence has been issued. I never said such a silly thing. We are exploring and not mining.
“He thought of selling his paper by being untruthful. I tried to call him after hearing about the article, but his phone is not reachable.
“It is a speculative and dangerous story. We have nothing to export because we have not mined. He just showed the typical mentallity bent on saying negative things about Zimbabwe.”
Chimanikire, a high-ranking MDC-T official, said Starkey approached him for the interview while also clearly demonstrating a preconceived agenda to soil Zimbabwe’s diamond trade.
“That journalist was very notorious (mischievous). His name is Jerome Starkey, the Africa correspondent for The Times of London. He came to my office on Thursday asking whether Zimbabwe’s economy would recover.
“I gave him a synopsis of the mining sector. I told him that figures released at the recent Mine Entra showed that we need US$5 billion to recapitalise the sector. His (Starkey’s) thrust was to say diamonds are being stolen. So, I told him that: ‘No, there is no proof’.”
He added: “I also told him of our mineral reserves and that exploration is yet to be conducted in some areas. When I told him that uranium exploration was taking place in Kanyemba, Zambezi Valley, he then asked who our customers were and whether Iran was among them.
“I told him ‘no’, we do not determine customers; we market through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe. I also pointed out that in any case, we cannot be in a position to export uranium. I also mentioned that the Iranians were into textiles here.
“He then insisted on allegations of diamond theft to which I replied saying inspectors are allowed to go into Chiadzwa (Diamond Fields).”
Labels: GIFT CHIMANIKIRE, IRAN, JAN RAATH, JEROME STARKEY, JOURNALISM, PRINCE MUPAZVIRIHO, PROPAGANDA, URANIUM
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Diamond deposits found in Bikita
11/03/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
Gift Chimanikire, the deputy mines minister, said Nan Jiang Africa Resources Ltd had now submitted a new application for a licence to mine diamonds following the find.
Chimanikire said four kimberlite pipes had been discovered at Devuli Ranch in the Budzi communal area – on the border with Manicaland Province which is believed to hold some of the world’s biggest diamond deposits.
Kimberlite pipes – named after Kimberley in South Africa where they were first found – are believed to have developed from powerful magma eruptions between 1,100 million and 20 million years ago.
In Marange, Manicaland, the diamond deposits are mainly alluvial – diamonds that originate in kimberlite pipes but get moved by geological activity into river beds and even flat surfaces.
Chimanikire said a team from the ministry had been to Bikita and had prepared a report of an analysis of the type of diamonds found and their estimated value. This information will be used in considering Nan Jiang Africa Resources’ application.
The company has reportedly hired over 100 workers and brought in heavy mining equipment. The area where the diamonds were discovered is now patrolled by armed guards.
But Chimanikire warned Nan Jiang they could face sanctions if they begin mining before a licence is granted.
The company, meanwhile, has been active in the local community – helping villagers draw water from Devure River for irrigation.
Labels: CHINA, DIAMONDS, GIFT CHIMANIKIRE, NAN JIANG AFRICA RESOURCES LTD
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Mpofu worked for his riches: Chimanikire
Breaking ranks ... Chimanikire shares a joke with President Mugabe during swear-in ceremony
22/11/2012 00:00:00
by Daily News
MINES deputy minister Gift Chimanikire has exonerated his boss Obert Mpofu on accusations of amassing incredible wealth allegedly through misappropriating proceeds from Marange diamonds.
Chimanikire, a member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC, said after working with Mpofu at the Mines ministry, he learnt that the super-rich Umguza MP and Zanu PF politburo member had in fact worked hard for the vast empire he owns.
“What kind of a genius could he be to create such amount of wealth in one year?” Chimanikire asked at the Diamond Conference review breakfast meeting held yesterday.
“When I joined the Mines ministry, Mpofu had been there for a year.
“He already had that kind of wealth,” Chimanikire said, adding that though they were from different political parties, he had worked very well with his boss.
Mpofu, who belongs to President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party, has developed a close relationship with his deputy.
His comments are at variance with accusations from MDC ministers who claim Mpofu is a beneficiary of diamond mining deals.
Chimanikire went on to refer Mpofu as “King of Matabeleland”, before teasing him as the “ever obedient son” in reference to a boot licking sign-off by Mpofu on a letter he sent to Mugabe.
This comes as the multi-millionaire Mpofu has challenged a Canadian non-governmental organisation Partnership Africa Canada (Pac) to prove he splashed $20 million on properties in recent years using money obtained from Marange diamonds.
Pac had released a report claiming that looting at the Marange diamond fields had worsened, with Mpofu and military chiefs being the chief culprits, adding he had spent $500 000 on philanthropic activities.
Recently, Mpofu splashed close to $30 million to bail out financial institution ZABG Bank.
Labels: GIFT CHIMANIKIRE, NGOs, OBERT MPOFU, PARTNERSHIP AFRICA CANADA (PAC)
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