Key job for Mugabe ally

Retired army colonel Tshinga Dube is the new chairman of Marange Resources (Pvt) Ltd - cementing further the assertion by Global Witness that a cartel of Zanu-PF loyalists is in charge of the diamond industry.

Dube is a close ally of President Robert Mugabe.

Marange Resources owns 50% of Mbada Diamonds, a company owned by the Zimbabwean government in partnership with investors from Hong Kong and South Africa. Marange Resources also represents the government's stake in Anjin, a partnership with the Chinese.

Dube told the Sunday Times that his new job was a challenge that he has to tackle in the best interests of Zimbabwe.

"Diamonds play a big part in Zimbabwe's economic revival and my new job is an honour and a challenge at the same time. I will do my best for Marange Resources and Zimbabwe," he said.

Tshinga has been at the helm of Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI), a government arm that deals with military weaponry and ammunition supplies.

Not much is known about the Russian-trained former soldier's social life. However, he was the host of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, when he came to Zimbabwe in 1998.

His children, however, have hogged the limelight. In 2009 his son Mthulisi was arrested by police on allegations of being in possession of diamonds.

Police acted on a tip-off and they raided his father's Harare home in the plush suburb of Greendale. At the time of his arrest numerous influential Zanu-PF members were also taken into custody. The retired colonel did not get involved in the matter. His other son, Vusumizi, has been active in the affairs of Highlanders FC, bailing the club out financially.

Dube sits on the Zanu-PF politburo, the central decision-making body of the party. His political stamina is yet to be felt after he failed in his first attempt for political office in the 2008 elections, vying for Bulawayo's Makokoba constituency.

Dube, alongside Professor Welshman Ncube, lost to the MDC-T's Thokozani Khupe, the Deputy Prime Minister.

His appointment as the new chairman of Marange Resources will see him work alongside Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu.

The two had differences when Mpofu was minister of industry and trade. Tshinga accused Mpofu of having "irresponsible" policies and said they would prove costly for Zanu-PF as the party approached the 2008 elections.