The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has openly stated its challenges in tracking down the alleged US$15 billion in stolen diamonds—a claim made by the late former President Robert Mugabe. According to ZACC, the investigation has hit a significant roadblock due to the lack of a formal complaint and specific details about the accused and the source of the diamonds.
In 2015, Mugabe shocked both national and international observers by claiming that diamonds worth approximately US$15 billion were looted from the Marange diamond fields in Manicaland province. This statement suggested massive corruption and mismanagement, with only about US$2 billion of the supposed revenue entering the national treasury. The claims prompted widespread public demands for a thorough investigation and accountability.
During a recent two-day anti-corruption reporting workshop in Bulawayo, ZACC Deputy Chairperson Commissioner Kuziwa Phineas Murapa addressed the issue. He explained that the absence of a direct complainant and specific accusations had complicated the investigation. Murapa highlighted the procedural necessity of identifying both a complainant and an accused party to link the allegations to an actionable case of corruption. Without these, ZACC has struggled to pursue the case effectively.
Murapa expressed skepticism about the plausibility of such a large quantity of diamonds being stolen, citing international experts who deemed it unlikely that Zimbabwe could have produced diamonds of that value within the claimed timeframe. The lack of concrete evidence and detailed information has led ZACC to describe its efforts as a “wild goose chase.”
The saga took a significant turn when Mugabe was spared from a parliamentary probe into the missing diamonds. He was recused from the oral evidence hearing by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, further complicating efforts to hold anyone accountable. This decision was controversial and has contributed to ongoing debates about transparency and accountability in Zimbabwe’s management of its natural resources.
Despite the challenges with the diamond investigation, ZACC has not been idle. Spiwe Chafungamoyo, ZACC’s legal manager, reported significant successes in asset recovery related to other corruption cases. Over the past four years, ZACC has seized illegally acquired assets worth US$270 million, including houses and trucks. The commission filed numerous cases, resulting in several high court orders and a notable number of convictions, particularly in high-profile corruption cases.
In 2021 alone, assets worth US$7 million were seized, and 18 cases were referred to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA). The following year saw 20 cases worth US$29 million filed at the High Court, leading to the seizure of 63 trucks, 28 trailers, and seven properties. The upward trend continued into 2023, with 39 cases filed and assets valued at US$136 million under investigation, highlighting ZACC’s ongoing commitment to combating corruption.
The inability to trace the alleged US$15 billion in stolen diamonds has posed significant questions about the effectiveness of Zimbabwe’s mechanisms to combat corruption and manage its mineral wealth. The case underscores the complexities of legal and procedural frameworks in tackling high-level corruption, especially when initial claims lack the necessary details to prompt a formal investigation. As ZACC continues its broader anti-corruption efforts, the lessons learned from this high-profile case may influence future strategies to ensure better management and accountability for Zimbabwe’s valuable natural resources.
Source: Newsday
