‘31 fired as gems vanish in Chiadzwa’ 10 February 2023

PILFERAGE of diamonds in Chiadzwa is being perpetrated by employees within the mining companies operating in the area, The Manica Post has established. This comes as 31 Anjin Investments employees were fired last year alone, while four others were recently suspended pending investigations. Investigations conducted by The Manica Post revealed that some unscrupulous employees are working in cahoots with diamond dealers to prejudice their employers of the precious gems. The Manica Post also established that several diamond dealers, some of foreign origin but based in Mutare, recruit the employees in order to have easy access to the precious gems.

…At Anjin Investments (Private) Limited, a total of 31 employees were relieved of their duties last year alone, while four are currently on suspension pending investigations into alleged pilferage of diamond pieces. Anjin Investments public relations officer, Mr Special Matarirano confirmed this development. “Our CCTV observed some irregular behaviour by four of our workers and the company’s policy is that any suspicious behaviour from employees who works in the red zone attracts an immediate suspension pending thorough investigations. Hence, those four employees were suspended pending investigations. The results of the investigations will guide the decision the company will take. “Last year alone, a total of 31 employees were relieved of their duties by the company after being found on the wrong side of the code of conduct,” said Mr Matarirano.

…The other company carrying out mining operations in Chiadzwa, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), could not readily divulge information relating to pilferage of diamonds through its employees. Contacted for comment, the company’s public relations executive, Mr Sugar Chagonda referred all questions to the chief executive, Dr Mark Mabhudhu. Unfortunately, Dr Mabhudhu was not able to comment as he highlighted that he was out on business. However, this newspaper understands that a number of employees have also been relieved of their duties at ZCDC due to diamond pieces’ theft related cases.