Over 3,000 trapped in Zimbabwe diamond fields

Over 3 000 people are virtually trapped in the high-security Chiadzwa diamond fields because the authorities are not allowing them to move freely in the fields as they await their relocation.

From as far back as 2008, when the diamond rush broke out in Chiadzwa, the gem-rich zone has been classified as a protected area under the Protected Places and Areas Act.

In terms of the Act, locals are given clearance letters that expire monthly by the police to allow them to move around and access their homes.

The application of the Act has, however, stripped the natives of their liberties as enshrined in the Constitution's bill of rights.

But while the locals have basically been confined to their homes, mining companies have been allowed to extract the gems before they even relocate the villagers.

Locals and human rights groups are seething with anger, blaming government for putting the interests of miners ahead of those of local communities.

Arda Transau, the only space availed for relocation, can only accommodate 1 800 out of the 4 300 affected families.

The local legislator and Information minister, Christopher Mushohwe, who has always been critical of their status, is livid about their continued confinement.

"Our people are confined in concessions, sometimes in fences, and their livestock has no grazing areas," he said, adding that the people "should at least be assisted by being given jobs as they do not have any alternative sources of livelihood".

Often choking in dust from the mining activities, the families face several health risks.

Despite their anger, many of the villagers cannot protest against the authorities because of the menacing presence of State security agents.

A miffed Marange villager, Crispen Tonhorai, said it was being inconsiderate for government to give the villagers clearance letters that expire after a month and yet this was their home.

"You can imagine being told you cannot go back home until you produce a permit that you have to constantly go to Mutare to get in order to have permission to stay in your own house," queried Tonhorai.

Headman Chiadzwa said the establishment of mining operations in the community has left children having to walk long distances to go to school, while girls were being preyed on by illegal diamond diggers, dealers and male mine workers.

"The long distances to secondary schools are making our girls particularly vulnerable and we would appreciate if government could have a school opened at Rombe as it has remained closed two years after its construction," Chiadzwa said.

Lack of consultations in the issuing of mining licences has created chaos as different mining companies are cherry picking areas they would want to operate in and haphazardly displace people.

"We cannot effectively plan as we live under the constant threat of being moved. We have been living in suspense for nearly 10 years now," another villager, who preferred anonymity, said.

A 2012 Mines and Energy parliamentary portfolio committee report touched on the matter saying "some households still living in Marange suspended most of their livelihoods such as farming on the grounds that they would be relocated. As a result, this caused anxiety and food insecurity within the community".

The report also confirmed that requests to be moved had been made as people wanted to live their lives freely.

The Marange fields stretch over 80 000 hectares with diamonds deposits estimated in billions of dollars, but these astronomical figures mean very little for the now "trapped" villagers.