This aptly describes the Minister of Mines Walter Chidhakwa’s decision to stick with the Dubai Diamond Exchange after the country failed to recoup its proceeds from the diamond sales there in March for more than a month. Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa had said no more, because they had failed the test. But Chidhakwa now says: “The issue is that of the facilitator. It is a lucrative market. That we had a facilitator who did not do according to expectation does not take away the fact that we still have an opportunity to continue to sell in Dubai.” Although Chinamasa had said Chidhakwa would have the final say, it is Chinamasa who is running around looking for funds to run the country. So shouldn’t he have the final say? Or was Chidhakwa simply following the words of his principal, President Robert Mugabe who said: “You do not have the evil heart of Europe…We want to be partners in trade. We want partners who regard us as human beings, partners who share our misfortunes and appreciate that we want to develop also in the same way that we appreciate their own development.” Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend, China, will tell you that when it comes to business there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. Zimbabwe must do what is right for the country. It needs money. It should sell to those who pay, quickly. If Antwerp is not good enough why not try India? After all most of the buyers were reportedly from India?
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