A senior director in the Zimbabwe government has been arrested at Harare International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle diamonds, reports said on Saturday. William Nhara, who is also spokesperson for the ruling party for the Harare province, is still in police custody.
”We confirm that he [Nhara] was arrested on Thursday at Harare International Airport in connection with the illegal possession of diamonds,” police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena told the state run Herald.
”He is also alleged to have attempted to bribe a police officer when he was arrested.”
The value of the diamonds was not disclosed.
Nhara attempted to bribe the police officer with $700, the report said.
The daily also quoted unnamed police sources as saying Nhara was detained at the airport where he had escorted a Lebanese woman who is believed to have been travelling to South Africa with the precious stones.
According to central bank governor, Gideon Gono, Zimbabwe is losing $40 to $50-million every week through the smuggling of precious minerals.
Recently, a Harare magistrate was nabbed together with seven other people in the western town of Mhangura where they were allegedly panning for gold.
Gold deliveries in 2006 was 10,96 tonnes, down from 13,45 tonnes, owing to a combination of factors including, lack of equipment, reduced exploration and illegal trading and smuggling.
In January, authorities vowed to press on with a crackdown on illegal gold and diamond miners that has seen the arrest of nearly 31 509 people since November and left miner one dead.
Police have recovered 3,6kg of gold and 7 868 diamonds since the blitz was launched in November. ‒ Sapa-AFP