Following government-sponsored violence at the Marange diamond mines in Zimbabwe some years ago, trade in diamonds originating from that country was banned. However, the bans were subsequently lifted, and it seems that abuses continue. Although the government is expecting to gain hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from the diamonds, in reality most of the diamonds are sold on the black market and the revenue is being purloined by cronies of the president Robert Mugabe.
Soldiers are conspiring with illegal panners to secure some of the wealth for themselves, and company workers coming off shifts are smuggling out diamonds and meeting with illicit buyers. State security forces are stopping traffic at roadblocks and collecting bribes. Human rights violations occur systematically, with workers being beaten and subject to forced labour, and corruption is rife in the management of the mines.
Zimbabwe’s government has run out of funds as the result of president Mugabe’s economic policies, and diamonds are seen as the country’s potential economic saviour. It is feared that some of the proceeds of the diamonds will go towards Mugabe’s re-election campaign this year, with its anticipated wave of state-sponsored violence and voter intimidation to ensure the 88-year-old despot’s continuing reign.