In pictures: Mnangagwa secret diamond deals; all by himself and son

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Mnangagwa examines map of mineral resources without other government officials

DEFENCE Minister Emmerson "Ngwena" Mnangagwa is well known for his legendary secretive blood diamond deals far away from the public, The Zimbabwe Mail can reveal pictures of him in the act of of rolling-out high level information about Zimbabwean minerals to Chinese diamond geezers without any other government officials accompanying him.

Mnangagwa is thought to be the most powerful figures in the ruling ZANU-PF party, head of the Joint Operations Command and a leading candidate to succeed Robert Mugabe.

In June this year president Mr. Ni Zhao Xing of Zhong Rong Holding Group met with United States Diamond Club president Reuven Kaufman, South African former vice president Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka a sidekick of former South African President Thabo Mbeki, and her husband Mr. Bulelani Ngcuka, and Zimbabwe Defense Minister Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa.

This high level secret meeting was for gemstones, diamonds, gold and platinum mineral resources in the absence of Mines Minister Obert Mpofu or any official from the ministry.

In 2010, state witness Glenn Agliotti named former South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Bulelani Ngcuka (picture below) in the trial of former South African Police chief, Jackie Selebi and revelations were made in court linking Ngcuka to Zimbabwe's spy agents CIO and Zimbabwean mineral rights.

In court it was revealed that Zimbabwes Central Intelligence Agency (CIO) secret service infiltrated the country's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and got former Attorney-General Bulelani Ngcuka under firm grip. 

Bulelani Ngcuka was former South African President Thabo Mbeki's close ally and his wife Mlambo-Ngcuka was the Deputy President.

In the trial Selebi’s defence quizzed state witness Glenn Agliotti on a letter he handed Selebi which alleged that Ngcuka was being controlled by foreign intelligence agencies (believed to be Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation) and that they were blackmailing him.

"I will not go into detail on what the blackmailing was about, but do you agree that this is what is in the letter," asked defence counsel advocate Jaap Cilliers.

The letter was from Zimbabwe Defence Minister Emmerson Mnagagwa's business partner Billy Rautenbach, one of the top businessmen Agliotti solicited money with the promise that Selebi could help them avoid prosecution for their criminal activities.

The letter also stated that Ngcuka had tried to extort a bribe from Rautenbach, whom he was investigating for tax evasion and money laundering. He allegedly wanted Rautenbach to assist him with securing rights for mining deals in Zimbabwe and the DRC in exchange for an investigation against him being abandoned.

Billy Rautenbach attending court in South Africa in 2010 (file picture)

For years, South African government blackmailed Billy Rautenbach whom they accused of tax crimes amounting to R40 million and out of the blue, the charges were withdrawn on the pretext that he was willing to testify againsts Jeckie Selibi.

The controversial Zimbabwean multi-millionaire businessman, a few years ago was expelled from the DRC for entering the minerals-rich country illegally, committed the tax crimes while he headed the South African arm of the Hyundai Motor Corporation. 

He has the best knowledge on Zimbabwean mineral rights and he has close Zanu PF links with the party's dark World.

After realising the Selebi case was exposing top secrets in of South African politics, including the political interests in Zimbabwe, the case was adjourned in dramatic circumstances.

In another incident, in 2005, Zimbabwean authorities arrested a senior official in the National Security Ministry over spying activities actvities involving South African intelligence services.

Also arrested was flamboyant controversial businessman Phillip Chiyangwa, Zimbabwe's ambassador-designate to Mozambique Godfrey Dzvairo, Zanu PF director for external affairs Itai Marchi, Zanu PF deputy director for security Kenny Karidza and former Metropolitan Bank company secretary Tendai Matambanadzo.

They were accused of "trading information" about Zimbabwean government activities through a spy network that was reporting on Zanu PF power dynamics.

Zimbabwe’s important mineral resources such as diamonds, gold, platinum, uranium and other minerals are all under the government's management. On June 30, 2012, Zimbabwe’s Defense Minister Mnangagwa visited Zhong Rong Holding Group headquarters at Luijazui, Shanghai without the knowledge of other government officials. His visit was said to be on defence and security.

Mr. Ni Zhao Xing and the Defense Minister are close business alies. Both sides immediately had in-depth analysis and discussion on deals concerning diamonds, gold, platinum and other mineral resources for Beijing Chang An No 1 project.

At the end Defense Minister Mnangagwa invited Mr. Ni Zhao Xing to visit Zimbabwe.

Ngcuka was a close ally of former South African President Thabo Mbeki and the former NPA bosss wife, Pumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was made deputy president when Mbeki fired his then Jacob Zuma.

Zuma is now South Africas President. Mbeki protected President Robert Mugabe from international censure through the former South African leader's infamous quite diplomacy without which political analysts say the Zimbabwean President would have been history. It is also difficult to trace Mbeki's involvement in the current secretive diamond deals but some analysts say some senior figures have proxy representatives involved.

President Mr Ni Zhao Xing claims his stake from Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa

 Bargaining: Mr Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa exanines map of mineral resources

Mr. Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa and someone believed to be his son, inspects ZhongRong Holding Group Jade collections

 Job Done! There are much synergy between Mr Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa and Mr Ni Zhao Xing and the ladies.

Cheers! Ms. Zhu Wei (Right), Manager of Overseas Investment Department of Zhong Rong Holding Group, 
and Ms. Xiao Li (Left), Deputy Manager of Overseas Investment Department of Zhong Rong Holding Group
with Mr. Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa in the dinner party

Mr George Shen, Director of California Gemological Institute and 
Mr Hon. E.D. Mnangagwa in the dinner party. 

The new frontier of imperialism  

In April this years Mnangagwa has confirmed fears of ongoing military involvement in the country’s diamond industry, which human rights campaigners have for years linked to abuses in the Chiadzwa diamonds fields.

Mnangagwa reportedly told an audience at Midlands State University in Gweru that army deals were struck with diamond companies from China, Russia and other nations as part of efforts to counter Western targeted sanctions. He said the trade deals “to a large extent, stabilises industry and eliminates chances of internal economic sabotage.”

Mnangagwa, widely believed to be the chosen ZANU PF successor when Robert Mugabe dies, has always denied succession claims. But according to analyst Clifford Mashiri, his admitted involvement in the diamond industry puts him in a strong position to ensure his place in the power hierarchy. Mashiri said the profits from the militarised diamond trade would ensure a ZANU PF victory, with Mnangagwa holding the reins of power. 

Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Costantine Chiwenga on his own mission with Chinese Diamond geezers

In 2010 it emerged that Robert Mugabe’s loyal security forces and the equally notorious Chinese People’s Liberation Army, had entered into a diamonds-for-arms deal, with millions of dollars worth of industrial diamonds being mined and airlifted to China. The stones, which are not pure enough for commercial sale, are believed to be flown directly out of Chiadzwa where an airstrip was built in 2009. In return Zimbabwe’s military is said to be given weapons to keep propping up Mugabe’s regime.

The deal between Zimbabwe and China was reportedly set up by General Constantine Chiwenga, A senior intelligence chief who was quoted by the UK Daily Mail after an undercover investigation, said that weapons supplied by the Chinese were being handed out to the military in preparation for a brutal new crackdown against Mugabe’s opponents. As well as paying a share of the diamond profits to Mugabe’s regime, he confirmed that China has agreed to supply military hardware to Zimbabwe. The official said: “Beijing supplies weapons to us, and we allow them to mine diamonds.”

The military involvement in Chiadzwa has for years been raised as a major area of concern, so much so that the demilitarisation of the diamond fields was listed as a key requirement before the country was allowed to resume international trade.

This was stipulated by the trade watchdog grouping, the Kimberley Process (KP), who have, nonetheless, given Zimbabwe the green light to resume sales.

This is despite ongoing concerns about human rights abuses and rampant smuggling.