Saturday, June 30, 2012

Zimbabwe diamond wealth finding way to ‘pockets of a few’

A FEW hundred metres from the sandy tracks of Sakubva township in eastern Zimbabwe, Chinese workers are putting the finishing touches to a luxury hotel most locals can only dream of staying in.

With its chandeliers, rose-studded tables and junior executive suites, the Golden Peacock Villa Hotel is the latest hideout of strongman Robert Mugabe’s diamond barons.

Two men hammer away at pale benches near a red pagoda-style shelter. Built next to an airstrip that offers easy access to the Chiadzwa diamond fields less than 60 miles away, a night in a “villa” here costs £577.

The 88-year-old president was at the commissioning of the Golden Peacock last week, telling guests the hotel “provides clear evidence of downstream benefits flowing from the diamond mining.” But critics say the benefits are only flowing in one direction – to Mugabe’s cronies. Full story...

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