'We are overly impressed by Marange Resources' - civil society

THE civil society says it is impressed by mining activities at Chiadzwa in a major shift from its earlier claims of alleged human rights abuses and looting of diamonds.  The about-turn followed a two-day

tour of the diamond fields by the non governmental organisations this week.

"I am impressed with what we saw. We are overly impressed by Marange Resources," said Mr Farai Maguwu of the Centre for Research and Development who admitted the tour was his first time on the fields.

Ironically Maguwu has been compiling and peddling dossiers of alleged human rights abuses at Chiadzwa.

"I think in terms of the process of production Marange diamonds have complied with the Kimberley Process."

Mr Maguwu, however, claimed members of the civil society that were on tour of the diamonds fields were denied information on the level of production by the four companies operating at Chiadzwa.

When quizzed by the media on claims of human rights abuse, he said: "We did not talk to villagers. I will stick to what I saw."

Mr Pritchard Zhou of the Zimbabwe Heritage Trust said considering what he saw at Chiadzwa it will be difficult for anyone to now paint a bad picture on developments there.

"The civil society in Zimbabwe has been a divided group of people sometimes because of the West"s attempts to cause regime change. What we saw is a bold statement that regime change is having difficulties in Zimbabwe.

"Despite 12 years under sanctions, we are seeing huge developments at Chiadzwa and Arda Transau. Government should continue working with companies that are already mining," he said.

Sojama Economic Development Institute"s Dr Khumbulani Mhlope said ownership of resources by indigenous people was the only way to go.

Companies operating at Chiadzwa are in partnership with Government through the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.

"I am impressed considering that the ZMDC only moved in quite recently but the infrastructure in place is very impressive. Reports that go about in the world (about Chiadzwa) are false," said Dr Mhlope.

"Ownership of minerals by own citizens is the way to go not only for Zimbabwe but the rest of Africa. What we have seen at Chiadzwa is a sign of ownership."

Renowned artist and cultural activist Cont     Mhlanga also expressed satisfaction with developments and took a swipe at the civil society for being used to advance foreign interests.

"I was shocked with what I saw. I did not expect to see this. This is a young industry that deserves credit," Mr Mhlanga said.

He said multi-national companies are looting the country with no benefit to the people.

"Our biggest challenge as a country is the kind of the civil society we have. The civil society is built on wrong premise. It is built on opposition party politics and do not have local structures," he said.