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The PM is in Botswana on a four-day working visit and is expected back home today.
Said PM spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka: “The Prime Minister had a number of meetings today (yesterday) including a meeting with Zimbabweans based in Botswana. He also visited Mankgodi village, where he also had a meeting with Chief Hodga. In his address he lauded the chief for upholding the people’s culture and unity. He said there were problems with some chiefs in Zimbabwe who divided people on political grounds.”
Mr Tamborinyoka said the PM was speaking in Shona and some Zimbabweans based in Botswana interpreted.
The PM also toured some cattle pens in Mothivi area where he was given a bull by a local farmer as a way of welcoming him to Botswana.
During his visit, the PM also praised Botswana for being transparent in its diamond mining industry, which he said had transformed many lives in that country. He said in Zimbabwe the discovery of the precious mineral had “become a curse.”
The PM, however, told Batswana that Zimbabwe was under sanctions and that the country was failing to sell its diamonds since some buyers had their money intercepted by Americans.
Buyers ended up cancelling some deals due to fear of losing their money to the US Department of Foreign Assets Control, resulting in some local mines holding onto huge piles of diamonds.
Recently Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu said the industry was unlikely to meet the $600 million target due to the effects of the sanctions.
Anjin Investments, Mbada and Marange Resources are some of the diamond companies.
PM Tsvangirai had a 30minute meeting with Botswana President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama on Thursday where he briefed him on developments in Zimbabwe including the constitution making process.
During the tour of the diamond industry in Botswana, Mr Tsvangirai slammed Zimbabwe’s diamond industry accusing it of exporting jobs to countries such as India.
“The Prime Minister said Africa had plenty of resources yet its people remain poor. He praised Botswana’s diamond industry for transforming the country’s economy,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.
PM Tsvangirai also met Botswana Vice President Mompati Merafhe who told him of his desire to see all pending bilateral agreements between the two countries finalised.
The PM’s entourage includes Water Resources Development and Management Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Minister of State in the PM’s Office Mr Jameson Timba and Government officials.
Online Reporter