A secret airstrip has been built in a Zimbabwe diamond field illegally seized by Zanu-PF forces 16 months ago, which would enable clandestine weapons shipments.
Aerial pictures show construction work is well under way, with a newly built control tower apparently complete and the runway nearly ready for surfacing
The initial January report from The UK Telegraph showed construction of the mile-long airstrip well under way.
Diplomats and analysts told The UK Telegraph that the strip could be used to smuggle weapons, most likely from China, and diamonds. One Western diplomat called the photos “extremely worrying.”
The Chiadzwa diamond field
China has long been Zimbabwe’s main source of arms, but delivery has been more difficult since a shipment was blocked in South Africa three years ago.
Other deliveries have come in through the Mozambican port of Beira, but government officials in the country’s capital, Maputo, have expressed concern over the issue.
The army has also been frustrated in its attempts to buy weapons by Zimbabwe’s finance minister, Tendai Biti, a member of the MDC who has blocked new arms purchases since taking control of the treasury under last year’s power-sharing deal.
But the new facility would give Zimbabwe’s Joint Operations Command, the military top brass who long swore they would never recognise Mr Tsvangirai’s authority, a way to obtain weapons independently.
Constantine Chiwenga
A Western diplomat claimed the head of Zimbabwe’s armed forces, Constantine Chiwenga, had been “very busy” with the Chinese recently, adding: “We are concerned he is buying weapons.”
A senior political source who has seen the pictures said: “Zanu-PF believes these diamond fields will allow it to continue to defy outstanding issues of the political agreement.
“Zanu-PF only went into the inclusive government because it lost the elections but it has no intention of fulfilling the political agreement, and wants to go it alone. But it needs an income to ensure loyalty among soldiers and other security forces.”
The source said building such a runway in the mining zone did not otherwise make sense, adding: “We should all be very worried about this.”
The diamond fields, in Marange district in eastern Zimbabwe, could be worth billions of pounds and make a vital contribution to rebuilding a country brought to ruin by Mr Mugabe’s economic mismanagement. Tens of millions of pounds worth of the gems are smuggled into nearby Mozambique each month, to be bought by dealers from Lebanon, Belgium, Iraq, Mauritania and the Balkans – many of them with the connivance of the army and police.
Mark Canning, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe
Mark Canning, Britain’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, confirmed that diplomats are closely watching developments in the diamond fields, including apparent construction of a 2,000-yard runway.
“The situation in Marange is of continual concern,” he said. “What this particular facility [the runway] is, at this stage is anyone’s guess, but it’s crystal clear that the proceeds of a rich diamond field which has the potential to transform the fortunes of this country are being channelled into a handful of well lined pockets.”
The Zanu-PF defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, denied knowing of any runway under construction in the area. “Ask the mining ministry or home affairs, they might know about it,” he said.
The mining minister, Obert Mpofu, who is also a member of Mr Mugabe’s party, said he was on holiday and therefore could not comment.
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This was finished many moons ago. Paid for by the squinty eyed bastards.