RSS 2.0 FeedFebruary 2012 Volume 40, Featured Articles, Mining and Industry Indaba
Where is Zimbabwe’s diamonds cash going?
Amid claims that Marange diamonds have brought stiff competition on the international market, causing prices to fall sharply, especially in India (the Herald, 6 February 2012) the big question is ‘Where is Zimbabwe’s diamonds cash going?’
This week’s flashy headlines: ‘Zim diamonds shake the market’ and ‘Companies to auction diamonds’ seem to tell only part of the full story.
Despite claims in the state-owned media that Zimbabwe is set to rule the global rough diamond supply market in the next few years, the country is at the mercy of an increasingly rich and powerful ruling elite.
Observers believe tens of millions of dollars in diamond profits, probably even more, are being secretly extracted from Chiadzwa minefields and by passing Treasury to fund Mugabe’s election terror campaign while the Kimberley Process dithers on the definition of conflict diamonds.
Diplomats talk of how diamond sales are being made through suitcases full of cash and anti-sanctions units in local banks, raising concerns that proceeds to treasury are just a token for maintaining mining licences and a semblance of legality.
The basis for that accusation is the US$60 million shortfall in diamonds cash identified in the national budget statement which experts see as just the tip of an iceberg.
Another indicator of a possible stash of arguably ‘unaccounted for cash’ somewhere is the regime’s increased election rhetoric despite Treasury saying there was no money for both the referendum and the general elections.
If Zimbabwe could not independently fund COPAC and failed to give the Election Commission more than US$8.5 million, it is mind boggling that Zanu-pf is so confident about funding elections when it was servicing a bank overdraft in 2010.
There is also speculation about Zimbabwe diamonds possibly about to rescue the next AU summit in Malawi after the two leaders met in Harare last week, followed by reports quoting Malawi’s vice president saying her country was not prepared to host the 54 heads of state and government in June/July 2012.
Recently, a firm mining Zimbabwe’s diamonds allegedly hired a private jet for Mugabe to go where most average Zimbabweans will hardly visit at their own expense, in such luxury – the Far East, for unclear reasons as there are daily connecting flights via Jo-burg.
Rather than the diamonds funding war chests, they should better address impending crises, such as:
“World Food Programme to feed 1 million Zimbabweans through March’; ‘Maputo threatens to switch off Zim’; ‘Typhoid outbreak imminent in Harare’; ‘Chitungwiza vulnerable to typhoid’; ‘Funds shortage slows down construction of mortuary’ and so on.
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com
More Featured Articles
CAUGHT CHEATING? HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER BEING UNFAITHFUL
We all learn to look out for signs that our man is cheating, or subtle hints that he might be seeing someone else on the side, but what if you are the one that cheated? Assuming that you still want to work on your current relationship, we have 7 ways to move on successfully after you’ve been unfaithful. This is not a “loop-hole” and is not praised, but the reality is 14 percent of married women have had affairs at least once during their married lives and 17 percent of divorces in the United States are caused by infidelity. If you fall into this category, and don’t want to be part of the divorce statistic, take a look at these helpful steps.
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Illegal agencies rob desperate job seekers
When Tinevimbo Shumba (not her real name) 26, from Chitungwiza visited an employment agency last year to register as a till operator trainee, she was immediately suspicious.
Zimbabwe's Mopani Worms Disappearing from Rural Diets
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If parties boycott elections, I'll face Mugabe - Makoni
It's almost four years to the day Dr Simba Makoni quit Zanu-PF to form his Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn Party. State senior reporter Fortious Nhambura caught up with Dr Simba Makoni to talk about this and other issues
The MDC Will Fire Unprofessional Police Once in Power : Bhebhe
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Zimbabwe 'indigenisation' push scares investors: Analysts
No clarity on how the cash-strapped state will fund its big stick approach.
Zimbabwe: Mugabe, Zanu-PF Desperate As Time Runs Out - Analysts
AILING and ageing President Robert Mugabe is desperate to force an early election under the old Lancaster House Constitution which favours himself and Zanu PF against his political rivals, political analysts have said writes Caiphas Chimhete, in the Standard.
Alex Duval Smith: How Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe won over a nation – again
He may face opprobrium abroad, but at home President Robert Mugabe has soared back to popularity thanks to a campaign to turn over white-owned companies to black Zimbabweans. A crusading indigenisation programme – the corporate version of the farm invasions a decade ago – on Tuesday netted its juiciest prey yet when the world's second-largest platinum miner, Impala, agreed to cede 51 per cent of its Zimbabwean arm, Zimplats.
Diamond mining benefits unseen in Zimbabwe
There is concern that money from diamond mining in Zimbabwe is not flowing through to the country's economy.
Zimbabwe NGO ban exposes Mugabe hypocrisy
When someone is in their late 80s they have a tendency to forget certain fundamentals of how society is organised due to old age, yet there are some things that define the social and political order which people should hold dear writes Pedzisayi Ruhanya.
Honor women by naming and shaming Zimbabwe
Here in Geneva, at the Human Rights Council, on International Women’s Day, I have a case I want to make. It’s about Zimbabwe. It should have been made by the United Nations, but it hasn’t been made by the United Nations. Frankly, that’s unforgiveable.
Zimbabwe - last to leave, Never Mind Turning Off the Lights - They're Already off
In the 32 years of his benighted rule, Zimbabwe's President Robert Gabriel Mugabe has done more damage to the country than its white-led minority government ever did.
Mugabe No Longer Has Friends, His Intellectuals Are Misfiring
A report yesterday in which Jonathan Moyo reportedly told the South African Minister of International Co-operation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, to "shut-up" about the holding of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe exposes how Jonathan Moyo and Zanu (PF) have now reached the end of their pretensions at rational argument writes Makusha Mugabe.
World Black market dirties Zimbabwe diamond fields
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Great Zimbabwe: A Forgotten History
The civilisation of Great Zimbabwe was one of the most significant civilisations in the world during the medieval period.
Zanu-PF and China - Does Zimbabwe Really 'Yearn for the Yuan?'
Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono's proposal in November to peg a new Zimbabwean dollar to the Chinese yuan made a splash of headlines.
Dear Boyfriend, Y U NO NOTICE MY SEXY LINGERIE?
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ZIMBABWE: Child labour on the rise
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Khadija Sharife:Toilet capitalism: A Zimbabwean basket case
The restaurateur-cook-waitress looked more like a grandmother than mother, shrunken with poverty. Scarf tied around her simple but sweet face. Tired but with a smile and outspread, work-worn hands, one felt the urge to give her a hug, and tuck her into bed, rather than giving 'Mama' an order for several plates piled high with steak and sadza (maize meal) at nearly midnight.
Better Zimbabwe, not past Malawi
I n an interview with the Guardian newspaper of the UK, President Bingu wa Mutharika bullishly said Malawi would never go the route of Zimbabwe because, among other things, no country in sub-Saharan Africa is as free as Malawi, where citizens call the president names without running the risk of arrest writes Chachacha Munthali
Mugabe Must Explain Mbare and Zaka Murders Before Zuma Comes
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Home Opinion Commentaries Zimbabwe's Mugabe: Worst of the worst in the world order
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Zimbabwe sanctions are not only short sighted but unstrategic - Ncube
Sanctions as a strategy to bring about political change in Zimbabwe in my opinion are not only short sighted but unstrategic and self defeating writes Welshman Ncube of MDC.
Zimbabwean diamond field 'run by Robert Mugabe's police chiefs'
A Zimbabwean diamond field said to be the largest in the world is being mined by companies staffed by Robert Mugabe's police and military chiefs who may use the proceeds to crack down on opposition supporters, Global Witness has warned.
Philipp Laage:Travelling through Zimbabwe, a country in the twilight
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Cathy Buckle:Eating stolen fruit
Supermarkets bear a graphic demonstration of the national shame we carry around, writes Cathy Buckle.
Zimbabwe: Under the Carpet
President Robert Mugabe this week hastily swept under the carpet his ongoing conflict with his partners in Zimbabwe's three-party government - apparently to head off a tongue-lashing during a scheduled late-February meeting with SADC facilitator and South African President Jacob Zuma.
Chihuri’s stay in power a ‘betrayal’
Augustine Chihuri’s continued stay in his powerful position as Zimbabwe’s police chief is being described as a ‘betrayal’, regardless of the temporary nature of the job.
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The leader of the embattled smaller faction of the MDC Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube has made stunning claims that he built Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai into a what he is today. Ncube who leads the smaller MDC formation tackles questions from listeners on the dispute with Arthur Mutambara, accusations he connived with Thabo Mbeki to split the MDC, why MPs and councillors from his party are defecting and his chances in the next presidential election among other questions. (Pictured: Weshman Ncube with another one he
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THE issue of the interference of the security sector into politics which is not only symbolized by unprofessional political utterances and declarations by heads of security sectors of the country but also by the physical intervention of regular and non-regular forces including green bombers and war veterans in various acts of violation of human rights, has ignited animated debates on security sector reform in Zimbabwe. Now that the employment contracts of some of key members of security sector including that of the police commissioner are up for renewal, the debate on security sector reform has intensified but in a wrong direction.
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(eTN) - When tourism and travel trade executives are set to meet in Zimbabwe for the 37th Africa Travel association (ATA) Congress in May this year, it is a great honor for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region to have its member state hosting global delegates who will discuss key issues affecting tourism development in the African continent. Under an umbrella organization, the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA), regional members of SADC are currently marketing this part of the African continent as a single destination comprised of 15 members, boasting diversified tourist attractions. In this exclusive talk, RETOSA's Executive Eirector, Mr. Francis Mfune, speaks briefly about the regional tourism development and the way forward.
Don't underestimate 'rising star' Ncube
A year after Welshman Ncube assumed the presidency of the smaller Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party from Arthur Mutambara, there is no sign of complacency in the man.
Rats, snakes top dish in Malabo
Afcon soccer tournament offers up a rare glimpse into one of Africa's most secretive countries nations
Mugabe’s AU rant ‘Panic attack’ - Analysts
Robert Mugabe’s reported rant against the African Union (AU) and its handling of the crisis in Libya last year, is a sign that the ageing leader is ‘panicked’.
Who wants to be a monkey?
A student has been left feeling a little red-faced after an embarrassing incident with a monkey made her a global star. Charmian Chen, who just happens to be a model, was visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest Ubud in Bali last month when two of the primates decided she was a little overdressed.The 22-year-old student, from Taiwan, was on holiday on the tropical Indonesian island feeding long-tailed macaques when she was singled out.
