By Christopher Makaza
Looting of diamonds continues through well organised syndicates of employees of Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Companies (ZCDC) at the porous Chiadzwa diamond fields, the Harare Post has learnt.
According to a well-placed source, on August 25 around 0200 hours, a syndicate of ZCDC employees allegedly diverted a full load of diamond ore in a dump truck from a conglomerate plant to Chikwarukwaru area.
It is alleged that more than 40 illegal diamond panners were waiting for the diamond ore at Chikwarukwaru, approximately 800 meters away from the mining area in Portal A, formerly Mbada.
According the source, investigations are underway, but preliminary investigations reveal that one Charity Masiyakurima, a Conglomerate Plant Operator is alleged to be the ring leader of the syndicate.
The source revealed that night shift officers connived with ZCDC security officers to divert the diamond ore to Chikwarukwaru.
According to the source, the syndicate comprises of Excavator operator Stanley Taremeredzwa, Checker Gladman Nyamasha, dump truck operators Uda Dick and Edward Saeni, Mining Supervisors Walter Chizhanje, Maxwell Mukome and Tapesa Marange and Dump truck operator one Mukomva.
On the day in question, an alert ZCDC security officer, Dingiswayo Gumbo heard the dump truck and alerted a reaction team which then responded immediately.
It is reported that the panners vanished from the scene leaving 10 empty sacks at the spot. However, no arrests have been made to-date. The ZCDC management reportedly wants to suspend the syndicate as a deterrent measure.
According to the source, the diamond theft has been stimulated by disgruntlement within employees who have not been paid regularly. It is reported that recently, the workers were paid some of their outstanding salary in Zimbabwe dollars when they were expecting US dollars.
The source further revealed that there is a lapse in security at ZCDC and the mining company needs an additional 200 security guards to cover the gap. The source said the company intends to recruit about 60 security guards who are expected to start in September.
The source suggested that the company should shift from the use of human security elements to technical gadgets like CCTV, electric fence and drones for night patrols.
This is not the first time security guards were caught stealing diamonds in Chiadzwa. In April 2019, Tanaka Chinefu employed by Securico Security Company at the ZCDC premises was caught stealing five pieces of the precious stones.
Chinefu`s arrest came barely a week after four robbers wearing complete Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) uniforms working in cahoots with the suspected members of ZNA and ZRP hit Portal A at Chiadzwa diamond field around midnight in what was viewed as a well-coordinated move.
