On the doctrine of separation of powers, it is important and let me quote for example what Shore 2012 states about the doctrine of separation of powers. ‘He says that the principle of separation of powers as the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary ensures that powers of Government are divided into different branches and not concentrated in one. The author further explains that these departments should be separated and distinct because of the corrupting nature of power’.
For example, if the body that makes laws could also enforce them and adjudicate disputes, it would likely do so in preferential manner, undermining the rule of law and basic fairness. Thus, power must be checked or it will be abused, hence my call for the principle of separation of powers to be observed in the new era as opposed to what was happening in the old order.
Hon. Speaker, in this new era I have noticed, seen and heard from His Excellency who is talking about the growing or growth of the economy, and mining is one area that we should look at. For example on mining, Williams (2011) whom I should quote here cited by Mark Van Bosshore an expert on the foot-printing or the location of diamond sites in Zimbabwe based at the world diamond centre in Belgium says, “Zimbabwe has the largest diamond deposits worldwide and they are a billion years old”.
The kimberlite diamonds do stretch over 70 km from Chiadzwa district of Marange to the Chimanimani Mountains on the Mozambican border. Our diamonds are said to be worth up to US$800 billion. Further, William 2011) says, as he is cited by Belfast Telegraph, estimated that the fields could meet a quarter of the world’s demand for diamonds with potential revenue estimated at US$1 billion to US$1.7 billion per year, which is about half the crisis ridden country’s total GDP. This was said by 2010, and enough to end our economic wars almost at a stroke as it is reported by economists from U.K., cited by William (2011).
I am saying as we are talking about economic growth, we should look at how best we can utilise…
Hon. J. Tshuma having passed between the Chair and the Hon. Member speaking.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Tshuma, you may not cross between the Speaker and the Hon. Member speaking.
HON. ZINDI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I was saying as we are talking about growing our economy, the diamonds, this much, this worth, we should ensure in the new era that they benefit the country, citizens and everyone because we have them. On the platinum group metals, I understand there are six metals which are found in platinum. These are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum itself. These are the six which are found in platinum. They have similar physical and chemical properties and tend to occur together in the same mineral deposits.
According to Azonet Network (2017), it says, RioZim reported 8 600 metric tonnes of copper and nickel in 2010. Zimplats Holdings Pvt. Limited of Gansey, Ngezi Mine accounted for 3.9 milion metric tonnes of ore in 2010. The ore included the following: 2500 tonnes of copper, 340 tonnes of nickel, 4.6 tonnes of palladium, 5.6 tonnes of platinum, 600 kgs gold and 500 kgs of rhodium. Mimosa Mine owned by the Mimosa Investments Limited of Mauritius, accounted for 2.3 million metric tonnes (mt) of ore in 2010. The ore included 2 792t of nickel, 2 396t of copper, 79t of cobalt, 3.2t of platinum, 2.4t of palladium, 430kg of gold and 250kg of rhodium. Thus, experts feel that in the future, the Government needs to realise that mining investment is crucial to economic recovery as this industry accounts for nearly 65% of exports and more than half of the country’s foreign exchange revenue here in Zimbabwe.
Thus, there is need for the Government to put in place measures to ensure the Government is not fleeced……
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