Rampant Abuses in Marange Diamond Fields Police, Private Security Guards Attacking Miners

Press Release: Zimbabwe police and private security guards employed by mining companies in the Marange diamond fields are shooting, beating and unleashing attack dogs on poor, local unlicensed miners.
The evidence gathered by Human Rights Watch contradicts claims that areas controlled by private mining companies, instead of by the Zimbabwe government alone, are relatively free of abuses.
Over the past six months, police and private security personnel have attempted to clear the fields of local miners whom they accuse of illegally mining diamonds. Human Rights Watch research found that in many cases, the police and private security guards used excessive force against the miners. The violence follows claims, in June, by the government and the head of an international industry monitoring body that conditions in the Marange fields are sufficient for it to be allowed to resume exports of diamonds from Marange.
''Shooting defenseless miners and unleashing dogs against them is inhuman, degrading and barbaric,'' said Tiseke Kasambala, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. ''The diamonds from the Marange fields are tainted with abuse.''
Local civil society activists told Human Rights Watch that the government has granted six international mining companies concessions in the Marange fields. The companies’ private security guards carry out joint patrols of the mining areas with Zimbabwe police. Local miners said that most of the companies have built electric fences around their mining concessions, while security guards with dogs regularly patrol the concessions. However, local miners are still able to reach the fields and sometimes stray into areas under the companies’ control.
Some members of the international diamond monitoring body, known as the Kimberley Process, have tried to argue that conditions in the areas controlled by joint ventures are not abusive, and that those diamonds should be certified and allowed onto international markets. But Human Rights Watch has found, on the contrary, evidence of serious abuse by private security guards patrolling the joint venture territory.
Human Rights Watch researchers interviewed 10 miners in Mutare and towns close to the Marange diamond fields who had been beaten by guards and attacked by their dogs after being caught by mine security in the past six months. During patrols, police would also fire live ammunition at the miners as they fled, the miners said.
''I was attacked by all of them,'' one of the miners told Human Rights Watch. ''The dogs were biting me and I was screaming. It was terrible.''
Medical personnel who treated the miners at neighboring clinics and the main provincial hospital confirmed that they had treated wounded miners.  An official at a local clinic told Human Rights Watch that he had treated between 15 and 20 victims of dog attacks a month since April, many with serious wounds. Clinic officers also reported seeing people with gunshot wounds, including people who had been shot in the head.

Many of the miners were reluctant to report the incidents to the police, miners and local activists said, as they were afraid of being arrested for digging in the fields because they were unlicensed. The government has conducted no investigations into these abuses.
The Ministry of Mines and Development, other relevant Zimbabwe authorities, and the mining industry in Marange need to take immediate measures to stop these abuses and ensure accountability for abuses by members of the police force and the private security guards, Human Rights Watch said. At a minimum, the companies should follow internationally recognized standards on security, such as the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, investigate any allegations of abuse, and urge investigations of those acts.
Human Rights Watch urged the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, an international body that oversees the diamond trade, to suspend all exports of diamonds from the Marange fields and asked retailers to refuse explicitly to buy Marange diamonds. The Kimberley Process has not adequately addressed the abuses in Marange.
''The ongoing abuses at Marange underscore the need for the Kimberley Process to address human rights instead of capitulating to abusive governments and irresponsible companies,'' Kasambala said.
On June 23, Mathieu Yamba, the Kimberley Process chairman, announced that he had made a unilateral decision to lift the ban on exports of diamonds from the Marange fields. He took the decision even though independent monitoring, including the organization’s own investigation, had confirmed serious human rights abuses and rampant smuggling at the Marange fields. This decision, if implemented, would mean that the export of Marange diamonds is now permitted, without any monitoring for human rights abuses or credible evidence that Zimbabwe is complying with the Kimberley Process standards.
However, the Kimberley Process operates by consensus, and members such as the European Union, the United States, Israel and Canada criticized Yamba’s position. Others, such as South Africa, supported it. As a result, the organization remains deadlocked over whether to allow exports of diamonds from Marange.
''The Kimberley Process appears to have lost touch with its mission to ensure that blood diamonds don’t make their way to consumers,'' Kasambala said. ''By ignoring the serious abuses taking place in Marange, it is losing credibility as a global diamond regulating body and risks misleading consumers too.''
Abuses by Police and Security Guards
Human Rights Watch interviewed miners in July, 2011, who were mauled by dogs and beaten by private security guards. They reported that the majority of incidents involved security guards working for Mbada Mining, a South African and Zimbabwean owned joint venture. The guards were identifiable by their black uniform. One miner said: ''The Mbada guards are the worst. They don’t hesitate to set the dogs upon you and they also beat you up.'' Human Rights Watch was unable to interview Mbada Mining officials during the mission, because they were not reachable by phone.
In one incident, private security guards working for Mbada set four dogs on a handcuffed artisanal miner caught digging for diamonds close to the fields mined by Mbada. ''I was attacked by all of them,'' said the man, who is in his 20s. ''The dogs were biting me and I was screaming.  It was terrible.''
A clinical officer in the town close to the fields told Human Rights Watch: ''We have so many people coming to the clinic with dog attacks. It’s easy to tell they’ve been bitten by dogs. You see the marks. During the week we treat around five or more miners with dog bites. They tell us that private security guards are the ones who set the dogs upon them. They say that it’s guards working for Mbada.''
Human Rights Watch’s research found that in many cases dogs were used not just to restrain the victims, but apparently deliberately to inflict as much injury as possible. One miner told Human Rights Watch that security guards would shout at the dogs to “attack” even if the miners had surrendered or stopped running.
A provincial hospital clinical officer told Human Rights Watch that he had seen at least 15 victims of dog attacks since April. In one case, the victim died from his injuries. Local miners and civil society activists reported that the numbers of dog attack victims could be much higher, but that the majority of the victims chose not to go to the hospital to receive treatment as hospitals often required a police report. Most victims preferred to recover at home without medical treatment, increasing the risk that their wounds would become infected.
Local civil society activists reported that police often carry out joint operations with private security guards in advance of visits to the fields by senior government officials or foreign delegations. For example, police and private security guards carried out operations to clear the fields of diggers in advance of visits to the fields by President Robert Mugabe in March and delegates from the African Diamond Producers Association in April. Some of the worst incidents occurred in the days before these visits.
A clinical officer at the main provincial hospital told Human Rights Watch:

''From March to June we have had many people coming to the hospital with gunshot wounds. They get shot at. Some of them have head injuries, some shot in the legs, arms, shoulders. We have one man who is in a coma. He was shot in the head about three weeks ago. There were four of them who were shot but one of them was serious because of the head injury. He was brought in by the police from Chiadzwa. They didn’t explain who he was.''

A local clinical officer described a joint operation between the police and private security guards to drive away miners in late May and early June. He told Human Rights Watch:

On the day they started the operation a lot of guys were bitten by dogs and a few came to the clinic for treatment. Three came on one day. The guys came with wounds similar to tears – not just teeth punctures. The injuries showed that the dogs were tearing the flesh and not just biting to restrain the miners. Such wounds are difficult to treat. I also treated three guys who were shot by the police. They were shot from the back and behind their legs. We tried to operate on them but their injuries were serious and we transferred them to the provincial hospital.

Testimonies
Blessing G., 21There were six of us who went to mine in the fields. We were digging in the bush when we were caught by these private guards led by a white man. They had four dogs. One of the guards had a gun. When they saw us they released the dogs. I tried to run away and fell. My friends escaped. Three dogs attacked me. One caught me on the leg and the other one on my hand. The other dog bit me on the stomach.  I lay on the ground still begging them to call the dogs off. After two or so minutes, it felt like a long time they called off the dogs and told me, “We don’t want people like you mining illegally for the diamonds.”  I couldn’t walk for several days because of my injuries.

James T., 27I was busy digging for the diamonds next to the Mbada area when I heard a shout, “Catch.” The guards were with a white man. There were four dogs and I was attacked by all of them. The dogs were biting me and I was screaming. One of the guards came, pulled off the dogs and then handcuffed me and then he shouted, “Attack” and the dogs came back and started biting me as I lay on the ground. It was terrible. After a few more minutes they grabbed the dogs off and marched me to their diamond base where they bandaged my wounds and then drove me out of the fields. I didn’t go for further treatment. I just went home.

Peter N., 20During one operation we were caught by private security guards and police. There were many of us. The guards had dogs but they also had teargas, which they threw at us. We started running, and then they let the dogs loose. Many of us were bitten on that day. They had many dogs. The guards were wearing dark uniforms. The police were also there and they had guns. At some point they started shooting. I kept running but when the police started shooting I stopped and surrendered. That’s when the dogs came and started biting me. I know that some of the others were shot by the police because I saw them fall. I don’t know if anyone died.

Richard L., 22I haven’t gone back since I was bitten by the dogs and hit by the guards. It was around May and there were around 10 or 15 of us. We were working in a syndicate with the soldiers and they had told us which area to dig for the diamonds. Suddenly we heard shouting and the security guards came running after us. They were not armed. They shouted at the dogs, “Attack” and then we all started running. I was caught by one dog. I don’t know how many dogs they were. The dogs bit me on the legs and stomach. Afterward some of the guards came and started kicking us saying we should learn not to dig for diamonds in that area. The Mbada guards are the worst. They don’t hesitate to set the dogs upon you and they also beat you up. I didn’t go to the hospital I just went home and healed by myself.

Fambai  K., 30Going into the fields is dangerous for us these days. The soldiers are better because we now work with them. But the security guards all have dogs and they work with the police. I was attacked by dogs in June. As you can see my wounds are still fresh. I don’t know who the security guards belonged to but they wore a black uniform. Some say they are Mbada but I don’t know. The first dog caught my leg and I fell.  Then the guards came and started hitting me. They were kicking and punching me. Then another dog attacked me. I was trying to hold its mouth. It went on for a few minutes and when they saw I was bleeding they took me to a place called diamond base. They stitched me up there then handed me to the police.

 By Human Rights Watch
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Zimbabwe has right to sell its gems

In the recent past, there has been a flurry of activities from organisations totally opposed to Zimbabwe selling its diamonds freely and without conditions imposed unnecessarily and driven by elements whose agenda is political. There is no secret that all the noise that we hear and continued efforts to demonise our country have one clear objective: that is to immobilise Zimbabwe’s capacity to meet its own needs from its own resources.

Most importantly, there is a clear commitment to reduce any chance of a government led by His Excellency, Cde R. G. Mugabe to steer this economy back to the road of success. It is no longer a secret that the demonisation of our diamonds, particularly diamonds from Chiadzwa in Manicaland is not innocent propaganda but a carefully managed programme to influence the outcome of any future general election in favor of groups that are friendly to western nations. In simple terms, this is an illegal programme of regime change.

What is frightening is the scale of the anti-Zimbabwe diamonds movement and the pace and speed at which they are moving on their mission to continue spreading lies against Zimbabwe. Although it is true that Zimbabweans know that there is no war, no killings and victimisation going on in the country, the danger is that lies, if told repeatedly, tend to become true by default.  We should not lose any opportunity to defend our position ruthlessly and with vigor and the need plus time to do so is now and very urgent. The greatest temptation is to believe in our own rightness and invincibility and hope that the truth will set us free. This however is not the best strategy in the current circumstances.  We know that we are right and as a country we have done all that is required of us, but at the end of the day, we need people throughout all stake holders particularly in Africa, to believe in our position and story.

Everyone associated with the Marange diamond fields knows very well that these are not killing fields, that there is complete absence of disorder. On the contrary, something great and huge is emerging out in the bushes of Marange. We need to use every weapon at our disposal to fight fire with fire because if we don’t, all the good work going on at Marange will be buried under a pile of lies and a deliberate manipulation of truth by the enemies of Zimbabwe who have invested a lot in the strategy of regime change.

Our enemies never lose any opportunity to have a go at us, and the sooner there is realisation that we should fight them at every fora and corner, the better for Zimbabwe.  Zimbabwe needs to tell their friends about all the good work that is going on at Marange and companies mining at Marange should have open days carefully managed to expose kids in secondary schools and universities and communities to the reality on the ground to avoid losing the battle of controlling the minds to the propaganda peddled by the international media. We should minimise the reliance on information coming from agencies of imperialism represented by NGOs that are doing the dirty work for their masters. These organisations champion themselves as human rights protectors, create an impression that Zimbabwe is about to crush under the weight of mis-governance and its saviors are supposed to be these unelected and undemocratic institutions masquerading as philanthropic organisations.

They have set up shop in each country in Sub Saharan Africa, found their way into Africa’s regional political and trade organisations and indeed into the African Union. They have patronised Africans and have tried to give us lectures on how we should run our organisations and even how to decide on our development strategy. It is time that we in Zimbabwe and Sub Saharan Africa realise that any relationship with these organisations often results in Africa being poorer and subservient. The fight for our right to sell our diamonds should never be separated from our fight for national survival and integrity and of course sovereign purity. Those who believe that this fight is about preserving the rule of one party are not only victims of political delusion, but are also people perennially condemned to dealing with an adult and complex situation with a childish approach. We need and deserve our right as a sovereign nation to trade freely with all peace loving nations of the world. So far we have been punished for a sin we have not committed and no hard evidence has been presented to support the accusations against Zimbabwe. In fact, no evidence is required because the stories on Zimbabwe have always been manufactured to produce the desired outcome.

No sensible Zimbabwean will support activities that dehumanise our people, degrade our environment and perpetuate undemocratic practices. Zimbabweans are not at war, are not destroying their infrastructure and are not burning their towns. On the contrary and despite efforts by hostile foreign nations to divide us, we have remained committed to different political visions without eating each other. We have seen violence on a large scale everywhere including in the UK today. Is it not amazing that the UK behaved like all other countries we have seen in the world? So when are the rest of European countries going to ban British products because of the ruthless nature in which they responded to recent disturbances in their Kingdom? Where is the warrant of arrest for David Cameron for treating his people badly? Where are the NGOs of Zimbabwe that are quick to re act to violent scenes that remain only imagined in their own minds? Why won’t they ask questions about the exclusion that minorities feel and suffer in the UK?

When police move to deal with socio-political disorder in the UK or any European country, they are protecting property and enforcing the rule of law, but when something similar happens in Zimbabwe and indeed any other African country, it is viewed as barbaric political behavior attracting sanctions and condemnation by the UN Security Council. This world belongs to all of us but there must be acceptance that we are all different in our own ways and to try and force everyone to live like Europeans and Americans is never going to work. We accept that Americans have their own country called America, there is a lot that they do that we do not believe in, but we let them live the American way. Why should we be expected to adopt their values? We do not tell them how to run their own affairs. What right do they have to tell us how to run our own affairs? Frankly speaking, Zimbabweans have no serious differences at all, the ones that we have clearly confirm the interference by western nations in our internal affairs. If you take away foreign interest in our national life, Zimbabweans can and are able to resolve the minor differences that exist if at all.

We therefore refuse to accept a world order that has discriminating rules and principles that govern differently depending on the color of one’s skin and geographical position in the world. THERE ARE NO BLOOD DIAMONDS IN ZIMBABWE AND ALL THE COMPASNIES ARE COMPLIANT AND THOSE THAT NEED TO, ARE INVESTING IN THE APPRORIATE SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO COMPLY. WHY ARE WE STILL REQUIRED TO COMPLY WHEN WE HAVE MET ALL STANDARDS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS?

Zimbabweans need to wake up to the fact that there is no heaven in hell. The façade presented by so-called developed nations hides a lot of social and economic in equalities resulting in some of the world’s most heinous crimes being committed in these countries. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country whose progress is being slowed down by non Zimbabweans and small sections of our community who cannot think beyond selfish interests.  We need to unite for the good of our nation and the success of our economy. We want our resources to work for us first and everyone else second.

Once upon a time, we were poisoned to think that land reform was bad, should have never been done in a way that left the white farmers stranded. However, no one is prepared to accept that all indigenous people were ruthlessly dispossessed of their land without any form of compensation. Why is bad European behavior tolerated? Europeans will never accept that Africans have a right to govern themselves, cannot and will not accept that we can run our economies and certainly they appear not to accept that we are equal to them in every respect. This European condition must simply dissipate very quickly because the African of today is far more sophisticated and will not accept to be treated as inferior to other races as if destined by God to be so.

Any co-operation with European organisations that reduces our chance to realise our own dreams and seeks to control our resources and to dictate to us how we govern ourselves must be thrown away into a political dustbin. Control of our resources and ownership of our political ideas and systems is the only way that guarantees us a secure and prosperous Zimbabwe.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent those of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

Dr Davison Todson Gomo is Chief Executive Officer Of The Affirmative Action Group but all views expressed here are personal and do not reflect the position of AAG.

dtgomo@gmail.com

ZIMBABWE GOVERNMENT INVITES EU TO VISIT MARANGE

14 August 2011
Zimbabwe's government has declared that the European Union (EU) is "free to visit" and inspect the Marange diamond fields "anytime," according to Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu, as cited by the state-run Herald. The newspaper also quotes the minister as saying that the country "has nothing to hide" regarding its compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPSC), of which the EU is a member.

Mpofu's remarks follow last week's BBC reports alleging the existence of torture camps in Marange and the continuation of human rights abuses in the area, claims that the Herald says are fabricated to influence the EU from lifting the ban on Marange exports. Last month, the EU issued its own proposal to end the Marange export stalemate. To date, the proposal is still being considered among the KP chair and participants and has not yet been officially approved.

In the Herald report, Minister Mpofu warns that his government "could be forced" to stop diamond exports from Rio Tinto's Murowa mine, which operates outside of the Marange area, "as a reciprocal measure" should the export ban not be lifted.

EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell' Ariccia, confirmed to the newspaper that last month, Minister Mpofu had invited him and other diplomats to visit Chiadzwa

Business grinds to a halt as Mutare bids a Hero Farewell to Diamond Kingpin Bothwell "Sir Bathez" Hlahla

R.I.P Bothie, one of the young and famous diamond dealers from Mutare. 

Bothwell became one of the success stories in the diamond business in Mutare, a rags to riches story. Bothie, known as Sir Barthez, amassed diamond wealth through brokering diamonds from Chiadzwa in  Marange, where there is a $3 billion dollar diamond deposits.

Bothwell Hlahla, the untouchable diamond dealer who rose from being a mere streetkid to a millionaire and died in a car crash last Friday was given a five-star farewell by his business connects.

Hlahla died shortly after being admitted to Murambi Gardens Hospital.

He suffered from severe fractured bones and internal bleeding, which he sustained when his top-of-the-range CLX convertible Mercedes Benz was involved in a fatal accident.

Manicaland police confirmed the death. Hlahla’s farewell is believed to have surpassed that of top music promoter and businessman James “Jimmy Jimalo” Chiyangwa.

Business was brought to a halt, with most of the central streets in Mutare bought to a traffic jam. Police had to man the roads to allow the 10 kilometre convoy of mourners to pass.

More than 200 vehicles flooded both carriageways of Mutare’s main street.

Links with Zanu (PF)

After striking a fortune in the Chiadzwa diamond fields, Hlahla - within a short period of three years - rose from being a car washer on the street pavements to a top businessman.

He had close links with many top Zanu (PF) politicians, who he allegedly linked to buyers. These strong ties were believed to be one of the main reasons why he was never arrested or ordered to surrender his belongings during the crackdown on illegal diamond dealers.

Zanu (PF) governor Chris Mushohwe, central committee members Esau Mupfumi and Enock Porusingazi including the minister of Mines and Lands Obert Mpofu allegedly benefitted from Hlahla’s links.

Hlahla openly bankrolled several Zanu (PF) youth projects in Mutare as a way of buying immunity in and out of the “highly protected” mining fields without hassles.

He left behind a fleet of luxury vehicles, several splashy properties in Mutare and Harare, a fleet of taxis, several shops. He was also believed to have fat offshore bank accounts.

He hosted the Jamaican duo Brick and Lace and is said to have spent hundred thousands of dollars to bring them to the eastern border city of Mutare.

His funeral attracted diamond buyers and sellers from across borders who later allegedly secretly met to map the way forward on the fate of future diamond transactions.

Hlahla was well connected with many illegal diamond dealers in Zimbabwe and abroad. Some from as far as Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa Australia, China, UK, United Arab Emirates, and beyond.

The Zimbabwean.

RIP Mutare Son and Hustler.

Post your Condolence Messages for Bothie Below

Is the EU trivialising human rights abuse in Zimbabwe?

News reports that the European Union is to lift its ban on Zimbabwe's 'blood diamonds' despite torture claims (Telegraph.co.uk, 08/08/11) are very disturbing and could have serious implications.

Zimbabwe's diamond civil society will be justified to feel betrayed by the European Union and its partners if the ban is lifted without a serious commitment by Zimbabwe to demilitarise Marange diamond fields and probe the massacres of 2008 and the torture camps.

According to the BBC panorama programme broadcast worldwide on Monday 8th August 2011, 'victims spoke of massacre in Zimbabwe diamond fields'. One of the torture camps the BBC identified, called Diamond Base, is about a mile from Mbada mine. 

Most shocking is the claim by the British Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham that his country supports exports from two Marange mines that met Kimberley standards, 'subject to ongoing monitoring' (New York Times, 08/08/11). 

Amazingly, one of the two mines is Mbada run by Robert Mhlanga, a Mugabe ally who is on the EU and US sanctions list. Similarly The Zimbabwe Mining and Development Corporation which partners Mbada is also on the EU and US sanctions list.

Any premature lifting of the Marange gems ban would be a big slap in the face of human rights organisations which are calling for justice and the upholding of the rule of law as a pre-condition for exports from the controversial sites.

One of the serious implications of lifting the ban on 'blood diamonds' is its threat to the ethical jewellery trade as echoed by Annie Dunnebacke of Global Witness when she said: "At this point, the consumer has no idea what they're getting at jewellery stores. And retailers have no way of telling consumers if a diamond has been produced without human rights abuses" (theecologist.org, 08/08/11).

As a result, there is now a risk of the Kimberley Process splitting into 'the ethical and the non ethical trading blocs' with big consequences for the world diamond industry. A notable development is the launch Wednesday 10 August by the Rapaport Group of "three important initiatives" (Diamonds.net, 10/08/11). 

The initiatives comprise a Diamond Price Index (RAPI), the Rapaport Diamond Fund to provide 'investment grade diamonds' and the Rapaport Ethical Certification. In a statement the Group said: 

"The Rapaport Group will be introducing and implementing a certification system for ethical diamonds. The system will track diamonds from the source to polished diamonds and then on to finished jewellery." 

Zimbabweans would like to see the whole country benefiting from the lucrative proceeds from the Marange diamond fields which up-to now have been shrouded in secrecy amidst on-going rights abuses.

However, the next few months are critical to the survival of the Kimbeley Process whose credibility has been severely dented by disclosures of torture camps at Marange diamond fields. People will keep asking: Is the EU trivialising human rights abuse in Zimbabwe?

Contact author: zimanalysis2009 [at] gmail [dot] com 

Marange Diamonds and The Siphoning of Wealth

To my knowledge Mutare has overnight became one of the richest City ever, Chiadzwa in particular as a spot of Mutare has became a jewel of Zimbabwe! However, our government hasn't shown any appreciation by uplifting the lives of those who have been subjected to a continued drought and rocky soils of Bocha who suddenly woke up sitting on top of DIAMONDS.


 Just after the rush discovery, for the benefit of the place, it was clear the formation of a Town was inevitable! Instead of too many soldiers and corrupt officials, a town planner should have been the first in place! Look at the roads, workers' quotas and all-evidence of exploitation. Development must spring from Bocha, into Mutare and surroundings and then Zimbabwe! It's a pity the recent Diamond auctions benefited perhaps the one who sold the stones NOT MaBocha! We should see dual Tarmac roads running through Mutsago, Mukwada into Chiadzwa, a plan for a stadium, spots centre restaurants(you know what a mining town obviously is proud of). 

Bocha deserves big royalties in form of development to start with then a dollar to any Bocha child to end with! WHO HAS BENEFFITED FROM THE POOR MAN'S STONES SO FAR? Billions of US dollar could have made a difference, even linking Chiadzwa with a single locomotive could have been an effort, all they did was to make sure No-more transport to my home place subjected to just two to three combis with no guarantee of my desired destination. I can't visit my my friend Godfrey Munjoma at Chiadzwa because the siphoning pipe runs through his yard! Stolen wealth must be ploughed back into a blessed county Bocha. 

Publish Post


We grew up a laughing stock in Zim because of the harsh living condition Bocha provided, Nhamo Kuzipa can bear witness to distances we walked to Dema secondary school then Roma! He is a Civil Engineer now who can help turn around these past horrors into sweet future for our children Tendai and them! Take a closer look at Chiadzwa diamond. We should press for building of a proper mining town in Bocha, proper tenders an community involvement and lifelong benefits for the people of Bocha and around.

Farai kushata was born and raised in Mutare, Bocha some 38 years back. Works in an Engineering environment somewhere outside Zim! Raising 3 lovely kids.