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The Zimbabwe Independent
GOVERNMENTâs move to grant tax exemptions to the Russian-controlled platinum mining house, Great Dyke, was this week roundly condemned by experts who described it as âopaqueâ.
The broadsides followed Finance minister Mthuli Ncubeâs announcement last week that Great Dyke, which is developing a US$3 billion platinum mine in Darwendale would be the beneficiary of five-year tax exemptions, which could give it a huge windfall.
Great Dyke, one of the biggest such investments in the past decade, is being developed through a joint venture between the Russians and Landela Mining Venture, which is believed to be owned by controversial oil mogul Kuda Tagwirei.
Harare, Zimbabwe – When Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport in October for alleged gold smuggling, the news was shocking but not the purported crime.
The 56-year-old head of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation and former president of the country’s football body was preparing to board a flight to Dubai when authorities found six gold bars worth an estimated $366,000 in her carry-on luggage.
Rushwaya, who denies the charges against her, has not been granted bail and is waiting for a trial date to be set.
It is a spectacular scandal – one involving a powerful figure that only served to reinforce the widespread belief that Zimbabwe’s ruling elite and politically connected help themselves to the nation’s natural resources – especially gold – with near impunity.
WHEN Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport in October for alleged gold smuggling, the news was shocking but not the purported crime.
The 56-year-old head of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation and former president of the country’s football body was preparing to board a flight to Dubai when authorities found six gold bars worth an estimated $366,000 in her carry-on luggage.
Rushwaya, who denies the charges against her, has not been granted bail and is waiting for a trial date to be set.
It is a spectacular scandal – one involving a powerful figure that only served to reinforce the widespread belief that Zimbabwe’s ruling elite and politically connected help themselves to the nation’s natural resources – especially gold – with near impunity.
What’s new? As Zimbabwe’s political and economic crises worsen, South Africa is moving beyond its policy of “quiet diplomacy” with its northern neighbour and applying more pressure on Harare to open up political space and reform its economy.
Why does it matter? With Zimbabwe’s people slipping further into destitution, crackdowns fostering a growing sense of grievance within the opposition, and political divisions pitting ruling-party members against one another, the country could tip into even greater crisis through mass unrest or another coup.
What should be done? Pretoria should press Harare to halt repression and start dialogue with the political opposition to address Zimbabwe’s economic woes. It should work with Washington on a roadmap for reforms that the U.S. and others can use to guide decisions on reversing sanctions and supporting debt relief for Zimbabwe.