The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has dismissed as fake claims by the United States of America that rough-cut diamonds from Marange are obtained from the use of forced labour.
Speaking to ZBC in an exclusive interview, ZCDC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Rob De Preto, said:
This is fake news, obviously aimed at creating some sort of hype. Remember ZCDC is accredited by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and everything is accredited by them.
Preto’s remarks come after the USA issued a Withhold Release Order for the rough cut diamonds on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Natural Resource Governance communications officer, Simiso Mlevu, called on the USA to share its findings with civil rights groups saying that they have never received reports of forced labour in Marange where they worked since 2012.
More: ZBC News