Zimbabwe Parliament summons Mugabe over diamond remarks

Harare, April 20 (IANS) The Zimbabwean Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy has summoned former President Robert Mugabe to appear before it to explain his claim that more than $15 billion worth of diamonds had been siphoned out of the country.

On the eve of his 92nd birthday in 2016, Mugabe said in a televised interview that some companies had over the years exploited the country's diamonds with little benefit accruing to Zimbabweans, according to Xinhua news agency.

He is expected to give oral evidence on the issue before the committee on May 9, chairperson Temba Mliswa told the state media.

The Herald reported on Friday that Mliswa also said that former Vice President Joice Mujuru would also appear before the committee to explain her alleged links to diamond mining in the Chiadzwa fields.

"We met today (Thursday) as a committee and resolved that we invite former President Mugabe to our committee to explain the disappearance of the $15 billion worth of diamonds," he said.

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