adminCletus Mushanawani News Editor
DIAMOND mining companies were this week given a seven-day ultimatum to deliver on the empty promise they made to President Mugabe to avail $50 million towards the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Trust two years ago or face Government’s full wrath. The companies operating at Chiadzwa sold the country’s leadership a dummy by presenting a cheque for $1,5 million to President Mugabe during the launch of the community share trust in 2013.
Each company had pledged to pay $10m in the trust’s coffers, but up to date, only two companies, Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources, have remitted $400 000.
Two other companies that were represented at the trust launch, Anjin and Diamond Mining Company, are still to pay a single cent despite numerous pledges to honour part of their bargain.
The fifth company, Jinan, was still to commence operations.
In a no-holds-barred meeting at the PA’s Conference Room on Monday, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, said time has come for the people of Manicaland especially those from Chiadzwa to benefit from the diamonds in their area.
“We once met here before where we raised the issue of the lies you peddled to the nation that you will be supporting the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Trust. Nothing has materialised despite the fact that you even presented a dummy cheque for $1,5m to President Mugabe as seed money for the trust. During our last meeting, we agreed that you will give us feedback by February 28, and we meet again today to chart the way forward.
“Chiefs are always breathing down my neck asking me about progress made in having the companies release the money they pledged. We cannot continue with a situation where the people of Manicaland are left to scavenge for left-overs after foreigners come and loot their resources. All eyes are at Chiadzwa, but we are being told that nothing is coming out of there.
“What will stop us from recommending to the relevant authorities to amalgamate the companies mining at Chiadzwa if they are proving to be a liability to the community?”
Cde Chimene called for the establishment of diamond mining companies’ headquarters in Manicaland.
“The present arrangement is awkward. Surely, you exploit our resources and leave us with potholes on our roads as you take our resources to Harare. What is wrong with you having offices here in Mutare? You need to be in constant touch with the community you work with, not what we are currently experiencing where our people are suffering. Most of our infrastructure is in a sorry state, yet we always move around with a spring in our step claiming that Manicaland is one of the richest provinces in the country. This is not reflecting on the ground. Even for a woman to be said to be attractive and beautiful she needs a bit of make-up, but where is the make-up for Manicaland? I will not tolerate talk shows but I want action because we cannot continue lying to the country’s leadership,” she said.
Diamond Mining Company public relations officer, Mr Fordwell Tasaranago, acknowledged that they had not contributed anything towards the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Trust and promised to deliver.
“We acknowledge that we owe the trust money, but the problem is that we are experiencing operational challenges. We will seriously look into the issue,” he said.
However, this did not go down well with Cde Chimene, who said: “You have been on the ground for almost four years now and you come here to give us lame excuses. What you are saying does not make sense. You should make a real commitment. You should tell your bosses that we want action and not talk-shows. If you do not want to be serious about this issue, you will see how serious we are. Gone are the days when you were relaxed in comfort zones.
“Hunger is stalking Manicaland and we have nothing to feed communities around Chiadzwa yet companies are not playing ball. We cannot continue looking at Government to provide everything for us when we can also make a meaningful contribution from our local resources. We cannot afford to keep you at Chiadzwa if you are not delivering.”
Anjin company representative, Mr Mukango, said they were facing operational challenges like other companies. He went further to say engagements were being made with other stakeholders to address the situation.
In response, Cde Chimene, said: “You should not undermine my office because I am also relevant in this issue. Manicaland still wants its share. I am speaking on behalf of the people of Manicaland. We want a payment plan because it seems we are dealing with dead bodies here. I will continue with follow-ups because we do not want people who sleep on duty,” said Cde Chimene.
Mbada Diamonds chief executive officer, Mr Thomas Lusiyano, said the company was prepared to work with Government but was being affected by inconsistent policies.
“Some of the policy inconsistency affected the diamond mining industry. The diamond tender selling system heavily affected all diamond mining operations as there were delays in having the money released to companies. Some of the diamonds were confiscated after they had been sold through Antwerp. We struggled to maintain our equipment as well as meeting some of our statutory obligations because of delays in having our money released from diamond auctions.
“Most buyers had a negative perception of our operations in Zimbabwe after the Antwerp debacle and this affected the prices of our diamonds. Because of the policy issues we had to close our mine for the first time in December. We were under severe pressure from almost every angle and Government should not kill the goose that lay the golden egg through some of its heavy taxes as well as policies. This industry needs to be looked after,” he said.
Mr Lusiyano said Mbada Diamonds alone had contributed more than $500 million towards funding Government programmes.
“As for corporate social responsibility programmes, we have poured in $23m. We sponsored the highly successful UNWTO General Assembly which was held in Victoria Falls to a tune of $2m. So far we have contributed $200 000 towards the community share trust,” said Mr Lusiyano.
“We acknowledge the role you have played in helping our nation, but you still need to pay what you pledged to the community share ownership trust because some of the projects that were started need completion. You cannot continue to be an active participant at national level, yet there is nothing to show in the community you operate from on a daily basis,” said Cde Chimene.
Manicaland Provincial Administrator, Mr Fungai Mbetsa, said: “Social activities in the province are critical. I want to urge all companies operating in Manicaland to assist in helping to realise Minister Chimene’s dream of having a different province.”
Online Reporter