Zimbabwe has satisfied the minimum Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme requirements to trade in rough diamonds and the KPS is ready to supervise export arrangements KPS monitor Mr. Abbey Chikane. In a report issued after his second fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe, Mr Chikane said he was impressed by the security arrangements at Chiadzwa that he said were better than those found in some diamond exporting countries in Africa. The KP monitor repots that, based on the evidence provided by the Government of Zimbabwe and private investors and on his first-hand assessment of the situation, Zimbabwe has satisfied minimum requirements of the KPCS for the trade of rough diamonds.
In terms of the administrative decision adopted by the Swakopmund Plenary of the KPCS (in Namibia last year) the KP monitor is ready supervise export arrangements in close collaboration with the relevant Zimbabwean authorities and other relevant parties.
The KP monitor is available to visit Zimbabwe to conduct certification under the supervised export mechanism at the invitation of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. He awaits a notification via electronic mail or fax. On private security at Chiadzwa particularly at Mbada holdings and Canadile Miners- Mr Chikane said it is better than similar operations in some African countries. He said the Zimbabwe national army should continue securing the fields. The KP monitor can confirm that in his considered opinion security at Mbada Diamonds and to some extent at Canadile Miners, is far better than most similar operations in Sierra Leone the Democratic Republic of Congo and even South Africa.
Having made this statement illegal panners will always attempt penetration of the fence much like in any operation in the world, he said. Mr Chikane and private security companies operating in Mbada and Canadile’s concessions were “highly” with a track record that speaks for themselves. These companies utilize technology and equipment that is (at) par with that deployed in similar operations in most African countries. The challenge, which is unavoidable, is that there will always be attempts by illegal panners to penetrate their properties. In the event of such occurrences these companies do have the necessary electronic security systems to abort the illegal entry into the mining area. He added, “The immediate de-militarization of Chiadzwa may present unintended consequences for the Government of Zimbabwe. Such consequences include the possibility that illegal diggers would return to the diamond areas. Indications are that any form of withdrawal will have to be conducted in a gradual manner.
Based on this indication the army may have to remain in Chiadzwa until conditions are conductive for the withdrawal. He said the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the ZNA in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and its associated institutions, should produce a de-militarization integrated project plan to determine the gradual withdrawal of uninformed forces from Chiadzwa. The KP monitor recommends that KP participants be invited to provide financial and technical support to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, with a view capacitate the police and expedite the process of de-militarization. Area within Chiadzwa that are secured by the army can be re-occupied by the police and other specialized Government agencies the security infrastructure adjoining and outside the jurisdiction of mining would be enhanced and border patrols along the border with Mozambique will also be improved, he said.
Mr Chikane said challenges and recommendations highlighted in his report should not be construed “to constitute non-compliance.
Areas within Chiadzwa that are secured by the army can be re-occupied by the police and other specialized Government agencies, the security infrastructure adjoining and outside the jurisdiction of mining investors Mr Chikane recommended that Southern African diamond producing countries be proactive in providing technical assistance. Such assistance could be in the form of artesian mining, diamond valuation, security infrastructure development and many more. The KP monitor makes an urgent appeal to neighboring countries to demonstrate commitment to the implementation of the Joint Work Plan, he said. Mr Chikane said Government had demonstrated its commitment to meeting the minimum requirements of the KP. He said “………a great deal of hard work has gone into their efforts to do just that”. The West - led by the United States - had been working to try to have Zimbabwe denied KPCS certification for the Chiadzwa diamonds prompting President Mugabe to say Zimbabwe could be forced to leave the KPCS if its enemies continued to frustrate Government efforts to have the diamonds certified. Government had banned the export of diamonds from all claims in Zimbabwe until KP certification is granted.
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