Zimbabwe: Government Official Arrested on Diamond Smuggling Charges

A senior Zimbabwe government official, William Nhara, was arrested Thursday at Harare International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle diamonds out of the country. He is expected to be brought to court today for arraignment.

Nhara, Principal Director of the country’s Ministry without Portfolio, faces charges of attempted bribery as well as illegal possession of diamonds. Nhara allegedly attempted to bribe a police officer with $700 to avoid arrest.

Following the discovery of diamonds in one of the country’s eastern provinces, Zimbabwe police launched ‘Operation Chikorokoza Chapera’ to clamp down on illegal mining and smuggling. Recently, claims have been made that senior government officials are involved in the smuggling.

Deputy Police Commissioner Godwin Matanga told a parliamentary committee that not only were politicians, MPs and ministers involved in illegal gold mining in the Zimbabwe, but that they were also interfering with the police crackdown. Harare’s Financial Gazette reported.