News / National
Supa Mandiwanzira blasts US, NGOs
04 Sep 2011 at 11:10hrs | Views
The Affirmative Action Group (AAG) President, Mr Supa Mandiwanzira says allegations of abuse of funds in the Marange diamond mining industry are unfounded as the sector has been more accountable on resource distribution than other players in the mining industry, ZBC News reported.
The remarks come after the continued onslaught against the locally controlled diamond mining industry by western backed NGOs.
At a recently held seminar convened to exclusively discuss the Marange diamonds, the NGOs pressed ahead with moves to have the gems banned.
But AAG President, Mr Supa Mandiwanzira described the accusations as biased and unfounded.
He said the allegations appear to be directed against indigenous Zimbabweans, highlighting that questions have never been raised about foreign owned mining companies.
AAG lashed out at the United States government for threatening to put sanctions on companies that buy Marange diamonds in a bid to stifle the revival of the local economy so that it is dependent on donor funds.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti recently revealed that the government had received US$174 million from diamond revenues from 2 mines in Marange last December and US$27 million in June this year, while another US$36 million was expected by the end of August.
The remarks come after the continued onslaught against the locally controlled diamond mining industry by western backed NGOs.
At a recently held seminar convened to exclusively discuss the Marange diamonds, the NGOs pressed ahead with moves to have the gems banned.
But AAG President, Mr Supa Mandiwanzira described the accusations as biased and unfounded.
He said the allegations appear to be directed against indigenous Zimbabweans, highlighting that questions have never been raised about foreign owned mining companies.
AAG lashed out at the United States government for threatening to put sanctions on companies that buy Marange diamonds in a bid to stifle the revival of the local economy so that it is dependent on donor funds.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti recently revealed that the government had received US$174 million from diamond revenues from 2 mines in Marange last December and US$27 million in June this year, while another US$36 million was expected by the end of August.
Source - ZBC News
