News / National
Mugabe, Biti secret meeting lasted three and a half hours
26 Mar 2012 at 15:35hrs | Views
Finance Minister Tendai Biti has met one-on-one with President Mugabe to discuss the controversial issue of diamond revenues from Marange, which are still not flowing consistently into state coffers amid fears of massive looting of the funds.
High-level government sources said Mugabe and Biti met privately on March 9 at the president's up-market Borrowdale estate to discuss various issues, but mainly the diamond revenue.
The meeting was supposed to be secret, hence it was held at the exclusive mansion to avoid public attention.
Details of the meeting from well-placed sources showed that it mainly focused on the diamond revenue issue.
The meeting, which started around midday, lasted for about three-and-half hours.
Mugabe and Biti, who frequently clash over budget and other issues, have never met for such a long time.
Biti met Mugabe ahead of his periodic update of the state of the economy on March 14.
The president is said to have promised to address the issue of transparency and accountability with regards to the diamonds.
High-level government sources said Mugabe and Biti met privately on March 9 at the president's up-market Borrowdale estate to discuss various issues, but mainly the diamond revenue.
The meeting was supposed to be secret, hence it was held at the exclusive mansion to avoid public attention.
Details of the meeting from well-placed sources showed that it mainly focused on the diamond revenue issue.
Mugabe and Biti, who frequently clash over budget and other issues, have never met for such a long time.
Biti met Mugabe ahead of his periodic update of the state of the economy on March 14.
The president is said to have promised to address the issue of transparency and accountability with regards to the diamonds.
Source - Sunday Times
