Harare — Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy has summoned the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, Mines and Minerals Company of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to explain the aborted diamonds sale by Mbada Diamonds Mining Company.
The three institutions are expected to give evidence today before the committee chaired by Guruve South House of Assembly Member Cde Edward Chindori-Chininga.
Government shelved an intended sale of 300 000 carats by Mbada Diamond Mining Company last month, saying the company had not complied with all requirements of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Cde Chindori-Chininga confirmed the meeting, but declined to give details for fear of pre-empting today's deliberations.
"We have called them to shed light on what really transpired and update legislators on what is happening in the diamond industry," Cde Chindori-Chininga said yesterday.
"It is our hope that tomorrow's (today) meeting would clear a number of things. I am, however, not at liberty as chairperson to discuss with you much before the meeting."
The Herald understands that the committee would also summon Mbada Diamonds and other stakeholders to give their side of the story.
Other members of the committee include Highfield East Member of the House of Assembly Mr Pearson Mungofa (MDC-T), Uzumba MP Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Zanu-PF), Buhera South MP Mr Naison Nemadziva (MDC-T), Chivi South MP Cde Ivene Dzingirayi (Zanu-PF), Maramba-Pfungwe MP Cde Washington Musvaire (Zanu-PF) and Gutu East MP Mr Ransome Makamure.
Others are Mudzi West MP Cde Acquilinah Katsande (Zanu-PF), Chiredzi West MP Mr Moses Mare (MDC-T).
Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Mr Thankful Musukutwa moved in early this year to cancel an intended sale of the diamonds after Mbada Diamonds chairperson Dr Robert Mhlanga announced their decision to dispose 300 000 carats in Harare at an auction. He said besides the need to have an external Kimberley monitor present, there were also national requirements that had to be met before the diamonds could be sold.
Mbada Diamonds, a company formed by the ZMDC and South African company Grandwell, had announced the first sale of diamonds from Chiadzwa at its processing facility at Harare International Airport.
