Grace Mugabe an Mbada Diamonds Shareholder, Says Gov’t Official

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (above) and his wife Grace are believed to be deeply involved in the country's diamond industry

Grace Mugabe is a shareholder in Mbada Diamonds, one of the two companies licensed to mine at the controversial Marange diamond fields. Zimbabwe’s First Lady was named by an anonymous government official on Radio VOP.

According to the radio station, known for its critical views of Zimbabwe’s leadership, Grace Mugabe is a major shareholder in the mining company and often meets with retired general Robert Mhlanga, Mbada Diamonds' chairperson

“The First Lady is one of the shareholders in Mbada Diamonds,” said an official from the ministry of mines.

This is not the first time that Mugabe is accused of direct involvement with mining activities at Marange. In the past, Mugabe was accused of benefiting directly from the diamonds, including a report from 2009 of shopping for a polishing facility in China. 

In 2008, President Mugabe was suspected of smuggling diamonds to China through Australian airspace.