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He said defence industries across the globe were involved in business activities.
He was responding to Mazowe Central representative Mr Shepherd Mushonga (MDC-T)’s question in Parliament last week on the nature of shareholding of companies operating at Chiadzwa diamond fields in Manicaland.
“Anjin is owned by the Chinese and the Government of Zimbabwe where ZMDC owns 10 percent and Zimbabwe Defence Industries owns 40 percent shareholding. Honourable Members of Parliament should be alert and be abreast with matters of national interest.
“It is imperative that Honourable Members of Parliament understand how Defence Industries are run,” he said.
The ZDI is one of Africa’s top defence contractors outside South Africa and, although nominally a private concern, all the shares in company are held by the Ministry of Defence.
Deputy Minister Chimanikire said there was nothing sinister with the ZDI’s involvement in diamond mining.
“Defence Industries are a common practice the world over and there is nothing perculiar about it in Zimbabwe because Anjin itself is a defence industry company that is owned by the Chinese, which is in a joint venture with ZDI,” he said.
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Government’s wholly owned Marange Resources, Mbada Diamonds and Diamond Mining Corporation which are joint ventures with the State and private partners are some of the companies in Chiadzwa.
Deputy Minister Chimanikire refuted allegations that the Central Intelligence Organisation, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prison Service were involved in diamond mining in Chiadzwa.
“From a ministry point of view, Central Intelligence Organisation and Partners, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Partners and Zimbabwe Prisons and partners do not have any companies operating in Chiadzwa Diamond Fields.
“I would advise Members that if they have any information contrary to what the ministry is providing to approach the Anti-Corruption Commission because it can only be a corrupt practice that the ministry is not aware of,” he said.
Online Reporter