Parliament calls on government to investigate Kasukuwere over Marange–Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust within 14 days

4.11 Honourable Saviour Kasukuwere, then Minister for Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment

4.11.1 The Committee heard that the former Minister for Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment had engaged unnamed "Zimbabwean Principals in the joint ventures" of the mining companies. He stressed that there was no need to sign agreements with the mining companies because Government had equal shareholding in them. He further alleged that since it was Government’s position that the alluvial resources must benefit the communities at the local level and as such, there was no need for a signed agreement with the mining entities. He argued that the discussions with regards to the empowerment of the people of Marange were handled at Cabinet and senior levels. The Minister alleged that the Ministry of Defence was responsible for Anjin Investments, for Marange Resources initially under Mr. Kurotwi, Director of Core Mining and Mineral Resources, and later by ZMDC which in turn was represented by the Ministry of Mines. He further alleged that the Principal for the other companies was ZMDC, a Parastatal under the auspices of the Ministry of Mines. To this end, the Minister alleged that the people who had appeared before the Committee were not the ones he had entered into agreement with and he had never met them even at ministerial level.

4.11.2 The Committee heard, from Hon. Minister Kasukuwere, that a company owned by the people of Marange was set up and allocated a concession. The USD 50 million seed capital expected from the mining companies was to capacitate and capitalize this company to enable the community to mine and benefit from the resources. He pointed out that the companies might not have met their pledges because of lack of adequate funds. He further pointed out that Marange Resources had committed to paying a sum of USD 50 000 and that Mbada Diamonds had paid USD 400 000 into the M-Z CSOT when he was still with the Ministry.  This, however, has proven not to be a factual assertion as the CSOT only received USD 400 000 from Mbada Diamonds and Marange Resources. He informed the Committee that he was not responsible for the dummy cheque that was displayed during the launch of the CSOT. He explained that he did not work for BANC ABC and that he did not draw up the dummy cheque.

May I please request the video to be played for the benefit of Hon. Members?

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  You can go ahead.

*HON. CHINOTIMBA:  On a point of order Madam Speaker. I agree with the Hon. Member on what is in his report.  However on the issue of videos, I also had a video that I wanted to be put on record that sanctions were advocated for by certain individuals.  On that day, the ruling from the Speaker was that no video could be played.  So what I am saying is that, if this video is played, then mine which was denied should also be played.

THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Members.  Can we have order please? Hon. Chinotimba, does your video have anything to do with the report before the House?  You are out of order.

A snippet of the video on the Launch of the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust by His Excellency the President was played.

Continued next page

(630 VIEWS)