The invasion of diamond fields in Manicaland by artisanal miners will not end unless a win-win solution is found.
This was said by an environmental activist, Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) director Farai Maguwu.
Maguwu was speaking at an All Stakeholders Diamond Security feedback meeting which was convened by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) in Mutare recently. Said Maguwu:
There is a need to rethink security in the context of Marange diamonds. Security is a tough task, but there is no amount of security that can stop artisanal miners from invading Marange.
… What can the government do at the moment? They should create space for artisanal miners and allow them to operate legally and ensure that the diamonds are sold to the State and have a win-win situation.
Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Polite Kambamura said that players in the diamond sector should put in force fool-proof measure to curb the leakage of diamonds.