'Diamond Geezer' Nhara dies

'Diamond Geezer' Nhara dies

NHARA

• Zimbabwe gold deliveries lowest in 90 years

• Zimbabwe sets up diamond whistle blowers fund

• Diamond geezer Nhara refused bail

• Nhara arrested after airport diamond find

• Magistrate to appear in court for illegal gold panning

• RBZ bars journalists from illegal mining hearing

• Top official outed as illegal gold dealer

• 25 000 small scale miners lose claims since November

By Staff Reporter

WILLIAM Nhara, a Director in the Zimbabwe's Ministry Without Portfolio and Zanu PF Harare provincial spokesman has died, his lawyer said.

He was 47.

Jonathan Samkange said Nhara died in the early hours of Monday morning at Harare's St Annes Hospital.

Nhara, dubbed the 'Diamond Geezer' following his arrest, was out on bail after being charged with attempting to smuggle diamonds late last month.

The Attorney General’s office did not oppose bail after his lawyer argued that he could not immediately stand trial on health reasons.

Nhara was said to be suffering from a kidney ailment.

He was arrested together with Tonderai Guhu and a Lebanese woman, Carole Georges El Martini, at the Harare International Airport for illegally possessing 10 700 carats of diamonds and attempting to bribe police officers with US$700.

This month, two warrants of arrest were issued against him when he failed to
attend court, but they were later cancelled when proof of his medical condition was submitted.

The Lebanese woman was fined $21 million while Guhu was admitted to bail on the same day Nhara gained his freedom.

According to central bank governor Gideon Gono, Zimbabwe is losing US$40m to US$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.
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