….Farai Maguwu, Executive Director of CNRG
By Desire Tshuma
Chiadzwa – The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has strongly condemned the killing of 66-year-old artisanal miner Tafadzwa Chamatumba, who died after alleged assaults while in custody at Mashukashuka base in the Chiadzwa diamond fields on February 7, 2025. CNRG says the incident is part of a “long-standing and deeply troubling pattern of violence, abuse, and intimidation” against artisanal miners in Marange.
According to CNRG, the continued military presence in the diamond fields has “normalised violence and impunity” against marginalised artisanal miners. The organisation is calling for immediate demilitarisation of the Marange diamond fields, with military forces replaced by civilian policing grounded in human rights standards.
“This tragic death is not an isolated incident,” said Farai Maguwu, Executive Director of CNRG.
It forms part of a long-standing and deeply troubling pattern of violence, abuse, and intimidation meted out against artisanal miners eking out a living in Marange.
“The continued military presence in Marange diamond fields has normalised violence and impunity, particularly against poor and marginalised artisanal miners who are criminalised rather than formalized.”
CNRG also demands independent, transparent investigations and prosecutions into Chamatumba’s killing and broader abuses in Marange, with perpetrators brought to justice. The organisation wants artisanal miners recognised as legitimate economic actors and protected, with non-violent formalisation models prioritised.
“Furthermore, CNRG is pushing for reform of the Kimberley Process definition of conflict diamonds to include systematic human rights abuses linked to diamond extraction. “The continued use of torture and killings by the army in Marange is a reminder and a wake-up call to all stakeholders in the diamond value chain,” Maguwu said.
“We stand in solidarity with the community protesting the violence and urge government to de-escalate tensions in the area.”
CNRG’s calls for reform come as the organisation continues to push for justice and dignity for communities affected by extractive industries in Zimbabwe.