In the past few months, they have organised tours for selected government officials, journalists and recently members of the civil society to showcase high-tech security systems that have been installed at the mines.
Unfortunately, their security systems are only enough to catch small-time illegal diamond miners and not those in the underworld who work in cahoots with corrupt officials to smuggle huge diamond volumes.
Take for example the case of Shmuel Kainan Klein, an Israeli pilot who was allegedly caught trying to smuggle 1 300 diamond pieces two weeks ago.
Had it not been for the 58-year-old’s suspicious behaviour — being shaky and uneasy at the airport screening gates — it was possible he could have succeeded in taking away US$2m worth of diamonds.
The question that begs an answer is: Where did the Israeli get such a diamond haul if diamond extraction, keeping and monitoring systems were leak-proof?
The pilot’s appearance in court comes just a few weeks after a crack unit nabbed Israeli and Russian nationals at a house in Follyjon Crescent in Glen Lorne suburb linked to dealings in diamond and other precious minerals.
What is emerging from these arrests is that security controls at Chiadzwa are merely superficial, and serve to hoodwink those who are concerned about meeting the requirements of the Kimberly Process.
While it might no longer be possible for small-tine miners to extract diamonds from Chiadzwa, for the diamond barons the game has not changed.
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All they need are a few right connections: either one or two corrupt politicians or officials of mining companies who can facilitate the diamond deals.
The main handicap in stopping this haemorrhage is obviously lack of political will to bring transparency in the mining and sale of diamonds, which is a preserve of Zanu PF politicians and a few connected people.
Without the much needed transparency in the sector, Chiadzwa will remain a looting ground for well-connected diamond barons for a long time to come.
Quote of the week
“Above all we don’t want to be treated like a pariah state. We need the international community to ensure that the will of the people is respected.” PM Morgan Tsvangirai in an interview in the UK last week.
