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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Diamond miner Anjin Investments insists it will only contribute US$1,5 million to the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust and not US$10 million as earlier disclosed by former Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
This follows reports that diamond mining firms in Chiadzwa could be charged for contempt of Parliament after they told the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, chaired by Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena (ZANU-PF), that they were unaware of the existence of the trust. However, they now say they know the trust but only pledged US$1,5 million to it.
Anjin board member Mr Munyaradzi Machacha on Friday said he was aware of US$1,5 million pledged in the presence of President Mugabe. He said the US$10 million pledge only appeared in letters written by Minister Kasukuwere asking his ex-Mines and Mining Development counterpart, Dr Obert Mpofu, to ensure miners met this obligation.
“As Anjin we never said that we do not know the existence of Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust. We pledged US$1,5 million towards the trust although Minister Kasukuwere had said US$10 million is required.
“Our board and shareholders, given the prevailing financial situation facing the company, approved a US$1,5 million pledge. At that particular time the company’s cash position did not allow an immediate payment and we promised to pay later and we informed Minister Kasukuwere of the position. Therefore, it is not true that we misinformed the President because the prerogative to brief the President lay with the relevant Minister,” he said.
However, Minister Kasukuwere yesterday insisted all diamond miners were obliged to contribute US$10 million to the trust.
“They will pay. (Mines Minister Minister Walter) Chidhakwa is dealing with them. I am no longer Minister of Indigenisation,” he said.
The demonstration cheque presented to President Mugabe for the trust at the launch carried the figure US$1,5 million, and it was made out to Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust. Mr Machacha said at the launch the trust did not have a bank account. They were later advised that an account had been opened with CBZ Mutare through assistance from Manicaland Governor Cde Christopher Mushohwe.
“The current position is that Anjin is fully committed to meet its obligation of US$1,5 million and shall be doing so once the cash flow position improves. The company has spent US$82 599 894 on social responsibility projects in Manicaland Province and these cover construction of 474 houses in Arda Transau for relocation of villagers from Chiadzwa, a water reticulation plant, clinic, schools and roads,” he said.
Mr Machacha said the firm helped in treatment of eye cataract patients in Manicaland, with food, seed and fertiliser handouts to villagers. Cde Wadyajena yesterday said: “My committee does not report or submit it’s findings to the press, any minister or anyone else. My committee does not do business on assumptions.”
On Anjin’s position that it had only pledged US$1,5 million, he said the committee was not privy to the agreement.
“The committee is not favoured with Anjin’s investment documents insisting on what you are referring to, so whoever has the document can best respond. Hon Ministers Kasukuwere and Mpofu did not appear before my committee so I cannot comment on newspaper reports. My committee advises the press to contact Hon Ministers Kasukuwere and Mpofu directly or whichever minister they wish to seek clarification from on the said conflicting roles or otherwise and not the Portfolio Committee.”
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