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Tendai Chara
AN illegal diamond miner wanders aimlessly around Muchena Business Centre, which is located a few kilometres from the Chiadzwa diamond fields in Marange, Mutare.
For weeks, the illegal miner has tried and dismally failed to breach the very tight security around the diamonds fields.
After running out of food, the illegal miner, who came all the way from Buhera, has been surviving on left-overs that he scrounges from the few rubbish pits.
The discovery of diamonds in Chiadzwa in 2006 ignited a frenzied rush as tens of thousands of Zimbabweans and foreigners descended on the area to dig for the precious stones.
Remarkable stories of how some of the illegal miners became rich overnight tempted people from far and wide to make a bee-line for the diamond fields.
However, the miners’ hopes of making a quick buck came to an abrupt end when Government ordered the removal of the illegal diamond panners, known as “gwejas”, from the diamond fields in 2008.
Order was then restored.
Last week, The Sunday Mail Society visited some of the business centres surrounding the diamond fields that used to immensely benefit from the illegal mining activities.
Whilst the majority of those that had settled in areas surrounding the fields at the height of the illegal panning have since relocated, some elected to stay put.
Others who had left formal jobs in anticipation of rich pickings are now singing the blues.
Apart from nostalgic feelings, the majority of the former illegal miners are ruing missed opportunities.
“I remember exchanging a 10-carat diamond piece for a bicycle. I could also exchange diamond pieces for beer and such basic things as bread or cooking utensils,” recounts Moses Mukwada of Betera Village.
The 10-carat rough diamond piece should have fetched him not less than US$20 000 on the market, according to mineral experts.
“We were naïve, if not outright foolish, and the buyers took advantage of the fact that we did not know the real value of the gems. Many beautiful gems passed through my hands and had I sold them, I should have been a millionaire as I speak,” Mukwada said.
Many locals, among them Trynos Mutsago of Mutsago Village, ditched formal employment and joined the other bands of illegal diamond miners.
Mutsago is now regretting ever making that decision.
“I made a grave mistake and will regret it for the rest of my life.
‘‘After leaving my job, I made a bit of money but the world collapsed around me when the illegal mining activities were stopped. Now I am unemployed and living from hand to mouth,” a distraught Mutsago said.
Apart from doing menial jobs, the father of five is now into brick moulding.
The majority of the businesses that were opened during the illegal panning era have since closed shop.
At the height of the illegal mining activities, Murehwa Business Centre, which is popularly known as Bambazonke, was a thriving business hub.
Panners and traders passed through the business centre on their way to and from the diamond fields.
As a result of the strategic position of the centre, several businesses sprouted.
However, the business centre is now a sorry sight with unfinished and decrepit buildings being the most prominent feature.
Aubry Chikotosa, a businessman at the centre, is still pondering his next move.
“Business is at an all-time low. I have limited options and among the few options is relocation. I am thinking of relocating to Penhalonga where I intend to embark on farming activities,” Chikotosa said.
Added Chikotosa: “The lessons that can be drawn from what happened here is that as businesspeople, there is need for us to diversify.”
He advised artisanal gold miners to draw lessons from the illegal diamond miners’ experience in Chiadzwa.
“I noticed that the majority of the illegal miners were reckless spenders. The majority of the miners were also fond of women and beer. We had people who got as much as US$50 000 but are now as poor as church mice,” Chikotosa said.
Headman Kurauone (born Howard Mukwada) said the illegal diamond miners should never be allowed to return.
“Those people should never be allowed to return. They left behind a trail of destruction that saw marriages collapse, a rise in criminal activities and the corruption of moral values. They must stay put wherever they are,” he said.
With the Government’s determination to rid Chiadzwa of illegal diamond miners, it is abundantly clear that the former illegal miners are crying over spilt milk.
Online Reporter