Mutare – President Tsvangirai who is Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister last Friday called for more transparency in the mining and selling of diamonds so that
the proceeds could benefit the people of Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the end of a two day tour of the Marange diamond fields in Manicaland and the resettlement areas where displaced villagers were resettled, President Tsvangirai said diamonds are a blessing for the country.

“In Africa, oil and diamonds are either a curse or a blessing, in Zimbabwe we have discovered diamonds but they can only be a blessing if they benefit the
people of this country,” he said.

During the two day tour the President Tsvangirai was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, ministers of Finance Tendai Biti, Mines
and Mining Development Orbet Mpofu, Labour and Social Service Paurina Mpariwa, National Housing and Social Amenities Giles Mutsekwa, Agriculture Joseph Made, Economic Planning, Investment Promotion Tapiwa Mashakada and Christopher Mushowe.

President Tsvangirai emphasised the need for accountability in the sale of diamonds saying all the proceeds should be remitted to Treasury so that
government can reward civil servants.

Last week, President Tsvangirai held a consultative meeting with civil servants where both parties agreed that transparency and accountability in the sale of diamonds would go a long way in alleviating the plight of civil servants.