BULAWAYO - Mines and Mining Development Minister, Obert Mpofu has threatened to expose top government officials whom he accuses of looting diamonds from the controversial Chiadzwa fields in recent years

Speaking to journalists on  the sidelines of  a business conference which is running concurrently with Mining, Engineering and Transport exhibition (Mine Entra) at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Wednesday,  Mpofu   said  there  are  many  top  government  officials who looted and  he would  start  naming  and shaming them soon.

"We have people who are currently holding top positions in government and have been quietly looting diamonds from Chiadzwa without our knowledge. Very soon I
will start naming and shaming them" said Mpofu.

Mpofu claims that these are the same people who have been demonising his ministry and also accusing him personally of having looted diamonds from Chiadzwa.

"I am don't care how powerful they are. These are the same people who have been going around demonising me and my ministry", he said

Mpofu recently made headlines when he went on a property buying spree in Victoria Falls and Bulawayo which has attracted the interest of a parliamentary committee investigating the looting of diamonds by top government and military officials.

Mpofu's threat comes a week after the Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti revealed that diamonds worth US$30 million were plundered in the past few months.

Zimbabwe's diamonds have always been a source of conflict between the government and the international community over allegations of human rights abuses at the Chiadzwa fields.

Meanwhile, few foreign exhibitors attended the three day Mine Entra exhibition which kicked off in Bulawayo on Wednesday.

The mining exhibition which is running under the theme: Exploring Our Hidden Depths comes at a time when government is threatening to take over all foreign
owned mining companies.

According to a survey carried out by the Daily News at the ZITF grounds, less than half of the expected 10 direct and 15 indirect foreign exhibitors areshowcasing at this year's event which will be officially opened by Mpofu.

Foreign exhibitors present are mainly from South Africa.

Most of the exhibition space in hall four, the venue of the show has been taken up mainly by small scale miners and safety and footwear manufacturers and suppliers. - Daily News