Zimbabwe Introduces Diamond Whistle Blowers' Fund

The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr Gideon Gono, unveiled a whistle blowers' fund aimed to disrupt the smuggling of diamonds and other precious minerals out of the country.

Dr Gono said the fund is necessary in the battle against the continued loss of precious minerals and gold revenues.

Recently Dr Gono said Zimbabwe has lost at least $400 million since diamonds were discovered in the Marange district nine months ago. The country blamed looting and smuggling for the loss.

He went on to call for a government plan to maximize profit from the country's diamond riches, saying a robust diamond mining and marketing system is needed to guarantee that gems benefit Zimbabwe.