.png)
Two men have been sentenced to two years in prison each after they were caught prospecting for diamonds without a licence in the Marange diamond fields, a powerful reminder of Zimbabwe’s strict stance on illegal mining in one of Africa’s richest diamond deposits, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Charles Ziwoya (46) and Keith Muzuwe (24) were arrested on July 30, 2025, by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) security guards patrolling the Chiadzwa area. The pair was found in possession of two sacks filled with diamond ore, commonly referred to as “chubs,” as they tried to sneak out of the mining concession under the cover of darkness.
The suspects were apprehended around 3 a.m. and handed over to the ZCDC Criminal Investigations Unit before being taken to the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Marange for further processing. The Mutare Magistrates’ Court convicted both men of illegal prospecting for minerals without a licence, sentencing them to the mandatory minimum of two years in jail—a sentence designed to deter others from invading the highly secured diamond fields.
While some might see these arrests as routine, they are in fact a stark demonstration of Zimbabwe’s diamond policy in action. Under the country’s 2018 Diamond Policy, only four companies are licensed to mine diamonds:
- Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC)
- Anjin Investments
- Alrosa Zimbabwe
- Murowa Diamonds
All other prospecting or mining activities in diamond-rich areas like Marange are strictly prohibited, with illegal panning or trading carrying harsh penalties. The policy is part of Zimbabwe’s strategy to bring order, accountability, and maximum benefit to the state and its citizens after years of smuggling, leakages, and violent illegal mining syndicates that once plagued Marange.
Speaking after the conviction, the NPAZ reminded the public that illegal prospecting—not only for diamonds but also for gold or other minerals—attracts a mandatory two-year jail term without the option of a fine, highlighting that #CrimeDoesNotPay.
As Zimbabwe pushes towards harnessing its natural resources under President Mnangagwa’s 2030 Vision, the government’s unwavering enforcement of mining laws and the diamond policy will remain central to efforts to ensure diamonds contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy instead of being siphoned off by rogue elements.
