Probe into Zimbabwe missing $15 billion still on

GOVERNMENT is still pursuing investigations into the suspected leakage of $15 billion from Chiadzwa diamond fields in Manicaland, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa said yesterday.

Responding to questions during a plenary session at a mining indaba in Bulawayo, the minister admitted that the forensic audit process on the matter that began last year had its own challenges in terms of accessing critical data from the operating companies whose licenses had been revoked, sparking a legal battle.

He said the audit effort was also hamstrung by court proceedings, which the operating companies cited for refusal to disclose data over a matter that was yet to be concluded in the courts.

He, however, said his ministry had found an alternative approach, whose details he would not disclose but said was confident it will yield positive results.

"The technical people we consulted have said we can use a different way of establishing what was mined in Marange. We discussed and agreed. I am not at liberty to disclose that now and that is the method we are going to use. So we have not abandoned the issue of establishing what happened but I am happy that we have enabled ourselves to move ahead and do something in Marange," said Chidhakwa.