Munyaradzi
Goche
Goche
Human rights
organization Centre for Research and Development (CRD) has expressed concerns
over mining safety and has urged government to legalise artisanal diamond
mining in awake of four deaths in the Chiyadzwa diamond fields. .
organization Centre for Research and Development (CRD) has expressed concerns
over mining safety and has urged government to legalise artisanal diamond
mining in awake of four deaths in the Chiyadzwa diamond fields. .
One of the victims was
shot by mine security four days after three others had died when an unsecured
shaft collapsed.
shot by mine security four days after three others had died when an unsecured
shaft collapsed.
Illegal diamond
prospecting and digging has refused to end despite heavily military presence
and tight security that has seen over two hundred people dying with thousands
more nursing permanent injuries since diamonds were discovered in Marange more
than 12 years ago.
prospecting and digging has refused to end despite heavily military presence
and tight security that has seen over two hundred people dying with thousands
more nursing permanent injuries since diamonds were discovered in Marange more
than 12 years ago.
Rampant human rights
abuses have seen the country being banned from selling the precious stones on
the world market until it finally met the Kimberly Process Certification
requirements.
abuses have seen the country being banned from selling the precious stones on
the world market until it finally met the Kimberly Process Certification
requirements.
CRD director James
Mupfumi told the TellZim News this week that they would also want government to
develop policies that acknowledge the rights of host communities in mining.
Mupfumi told the TellZim News this week that they would also want government to
develop policies that acknowledge the rights of host communities in mining.
He slammed government
for delays in diamond policy reforms.
for delays in diamond policy reforms.
“CRD is advocating for
the regularisation of artisanal mining and development of policies that promote
economic rights of host communities.
the regularisation of artisanal mining and development of policies that promote
economic rights of host communities.
“The delay by
government in implementing policy reforms in diamond mining is deplorable,”
Mupfumi said.
government in implementing policy reforms in diamond mining is deplorable,”
Mupfumi said.
He said this after the
death of 27-year-old Philemon Manhanga of Chapeyama village under Chief Marange
on his way to Mutambara Mission Hospital after he was shot in the back.
death of 27-year-old Philemon Manhanga of Chapeyama village under Chief Marange
on his way to Mutambara Mission Hospital after he was shot in the back.
Spiritualist Matthew
Mundondo bemoaned the continuing deaths of illegal miners saying mine security
should arrest guards and have them prosecuted, claiming that their ‘atrocities’
were angering the spirits of the land.
Mundondo bemoaned the continuing deaths of illegal miners saying mine security
should arrest guards and have them prosecuted, claiming that their ‘atrocities’
were angering the spirits of the land.
“Guards should stop
killing illegal panners, arrest them and hand over them to police. Chiyadzwa
land does not need violence but peace and love as preached by the late Chiyadzwa
hero Chichaya,” Mundondo said.
killing illegal panners, arrest them and hand over them to police. Chiyadzwa
land does not need violence but peace and love as preached by the late Chiyadzwa
hero Chichaya,” Mundondo said.
Government recently
liberalised the gold sector, allowing unlicenced small-scale miners free rein
but on condition that they sold their gold to nobody else but State-owned gold
dealer Fidelity.
liberalised the gold sector, allowing unlicenced small-scale miners free rein
but on condition that they sold their gold to nobody else but State-owned gold
dealer Fidelity.
A few weeks ago, three illegal
artisanal diamond diggers died when their unsecured mine shaft collapsed.
artisanal diamond diggers died when their unsecured mine shaft collapsed.
Gladmore Simango,
Washington Simango and Roderick Chidziya all of Chibuwe village under Chief
Mutambara died on the spot with one other unnamed miner who had also been
trapped in the collapsed two and half metre deep shaft.
Washington Simango and Roderick Chidziya all of Chibuwe village under Chief
Mutambara died on the spot with one other unnamed miner who had also been
trapped in the collapsed two and half metre deep shaft.
Manicaland provincial
police spokesperson Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the accident.
police spokesperson Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the accident.
Kakohwa said the four
were part of a bigger group that sneaked into Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond
Company (ZCDC)’s old washing plant 2 patrol area on August 14.
were part of a bigger group that sneaked into Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond
Company (ZCDC)’s old washing plant 2 patrol area on August 14.
The mishap occurred
around 21:00hrs and they were all dug up by their colleagues.
around 21:00hrs and they were all dug up by their colleagues.
Kakohwa said the
victims were all ferried to Nyanyadzi Hospital where the injured received
treatment. The deceased were later taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital for post
mortems.
victims were all ferried to Nyanyadzi Hospital where the injured received
treatment. The deceased were later taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital for post
mortems.
Police were notified of
the incident by ZCDC’s Masimba Ngwenya, 46, on August 15.
the incident by ZCDC’s Masimba Ngwenya, 46, on August 15.
