Diamond revenues must start to flow into treasury coffers - Biti

Zimbabwe's government could "close" unless projected diamond revenues start to flow into the treasury, Tendai Biti has warned.

Biti said Obert Mpofu's ministry of mines had informed him that no diamond auctions had been held this year.

Mr Biti also said there was no money budgeted for early elections as favoured by Mr Mugabe.

"Diamonds will have to deliver - otherwise the only thing we have to do will be to pay wages and government will have to close," Mr Biti said.

The finance minister said 70% of government revenue was spent on wages - leaving little else for anything else, without the diamond money.

Mr Biti added said that elections have not been budgeted for - and there is only money this year for a referendum on the constitution and a census.