Diamond Arrests in Zimbabwe

It’s no wonder that stories about diamonds are fueling the movie industry. All you have to do is read this story to figure out the attraction to diamond tales.

According to ZWnews.com, a Belgian national was arrested and released on bail along with four Zimbabwean men in the Marange district, an area where diamonds have been discovered. The five men were stopped by police in their rented vehicle. The Belgian man was found to have “six clear diamonds” on him, while 272 diamonds were also found in a bag in the car.

A Mutare magistrate on Friday heard from police concerning the arrest. However, the Belgian national and the other men were released on bail because the diamonds in question have since disappeared, reportedly, at the hands of the police sergeant in charge of the arrest. The sergeant is expected to be arrested himself in connection with the theft of the allegedly stolen diamonds.

In another dramatic twist, a senior Mutare inspector has been picked up in connection with the release of the suspects. The State alleged that the inspector helped to win their release after being paid ZWN$1.2 million (US$4,800) which was to have been shared equally with other officers involved in the operation. The inspector has been charged with corruption but he was released after paying ZWN$25,000 ($100) in bail.

He will be tried on December 21 as will the Belgian national who is charged with unlawfully possessing precious stones. It’s unclear, however, what kind of case can be built without the evidence, the diamonds, reappearing some time soon.

Meanwhile, the Mutare Magistrates’ Court is now fast-tracking other cases related to diamonds in order to deal with the mounting crime wave that has hit this once quiet district. Last week, the State managed to secure the first convictions of two Zimbabweans and a Mozambican national caught in possession of a 158 diamonds valued at ZWN $1,669,000 ($6,700).

According to ZWnews.com, sources in Mutare said there is increasing concern over the fact that police officers who are in charge of dealing with the illegal trade in diamonds are instead becoming its main culprits. So far, eight officers have been arrested following the disappearance of diamonds seized from illegal dealers.