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They allegedly misled Government into entering a diamond mining joint venture with an undeserving company.

It is alleged that, acting on information from the accused, that Core Mining had the capacity to bankroll diamond mining in Chiadzwa with the backing of a company called BSGR, Government granted them the claims. As such, ZMDC, Marange Resources and Core Mining formed Canadile Miners.
The deal allegedly prejudiced ZMDC of US$10 million.

Yesterday, provincial magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe heard their bail application after the eight defence lawyers agreed to shelve a challenge against placement on remand.
Mr Guvamombe reserved bail ruling to today.

ZMDC chairperson Mr Godwills Masimirembwa yesterday explained a voluminous document containing evidence relied upon by the State in placing the six on remand.
Advocate Lewis Uriri, was acting for former ZMDC chief executive Dominic Mubaiwa (49) and Core Mining director Lovemore Kurotwi (40), together with Mr Jonathan Samukange — who is also representing Gloria Mawarire (39) — said they would tackle the document later.

The court barred Mr Masimirembwa from discussing the evidence outside court until after cross-examination.
The other suspects are ZMDC director Ashton Ndlovu, company secretary John Tichaona Muhonde (33) and board member Mark Tsomondo (53).
Harare lawyers Mr Jonathan Samkange, Mr George Chikumbirike, Ms Belinda Rupapa, Mr Bruce Mujeyi, Mr Pilate Mahlangu and Ms Melina Matshiya are part of the defence team. Director of prosecutions Mrs Florence Ziyambi and chief law officer Chris Mutangadura are representing the Attorney-General.

Mr Masimirembwa told the court that the accused duped the State into signing the agreement with Core Mining well-knowing it had no capacity to exploit diamonds in Chiadzwa.
He said Mines Minister Obert Mpofu acted on their false information and had unsuspectingly communicated the same data to the President.
Mr Masimirembwa said “Were it not for the due diligence report, the shareholders agreement would not have been signed.”

He said Core Mining struggled to raise the minimum capital of US$5 million despite earlier claims that it wanted to inject US$2 billion into mining.
Meanwhile, Core Mining’s Kurotwi yesterday filed an urgent application at the High Court challenging his continued stay in custody. In his urgent chamber application, Kurotwi said it was illegal to hold him for more than 48 hours without being brought to court. He was arrested last Tuesday.
Judge President Justice George Chiweshe has set the case for hearing today.