Director nabbed with diamonds
2007-03-03 11:41
Harare - A senior director in the Zimbabwe government was 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 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 (about R3 000) when arrested, reported the Herald.
The daily also quoted unnamed police sources as saying that Nhara was detained at the airport where he had escorted a Lebanese woman, who was believed to have been travelling to South Africa with the precious stones.
According to central bank governor Gideon Gono, Zimbabwe is losing $40m to $50m every week through the smuggling of precious minerals.
A Harare magistrate and seven others were recently nabbed in the western town of Mhangura where they were allegedly panning for gold.
Gold deliveries in 2006 were 10.96 tons, down from 13.45 tons, owing to a combination of factors, including a 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. About 31 509 people have been arrested since November.
One miner has died in the crackdown.
Police have recovered 3.6kg of gold and 7 868 diamonds since the blitz was launched.