Authour, Mukarisi Sibanda, ZELA

"Diamonds should sparkle in the fight against inequality" 22 January 

With roughly $15 billion allegedly lost from Marange diamonds, the opportunity to fight inequality through domestic resource mobilisation was possible squandered. All is not lost though. This undesirable situation can be reversed in the quest to fight inequality.  

Government, therefore, must immediately adopt the following measures to ensure that diamonds champion the fight against inequality in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) must give 10% equity to Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust (CSOT). This will legally empower the community to get a share of profit from diamond mining activities in Marange. The softened indigenisation and economic empowerment framework still requires diamond and platinum sectors to cede 10% equity to host communities... Former companies linked with looting of Marange diamonds should not be allowed back. we have noted with concern activities on claims formely owned by Anjin that the Chinese and military owned outfit is preparing to come back. Notably, the Auditor General raised a red flag that Anjin failed to produce audited financial statements to verify depletion taxes paid to government.