Zimbabwe ruling elite linked to 'disappearing diamonds'

An anti-corruption group says it has evidence linking Zimbabwe's ruling elite to "a decade of disappearing diamond wealth".

London-based Global Witness accused Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) spy agency of holding a concealed stake in Kusena Diamonds.

The group's report, An Inside Job, suggests diamonds produced by the CIO-linked company were traded in Belgium's Antwerp and the UAE's Dubai - two of the world's leading precious stone marketplaces - and may have funded political repression.

The report accused "Zimbabwe's highly partisan and oppressive military" of having significant links to another Marange diamond company, Anjin.

The company sold diamonds in Antwerp on at least three occasions, the report said, "likely in violation of EU sanctions against the military company that holds a significant stake in Anjin".

UCJ, UNILORIN.