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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
The High Court has barred Mbada Diamonds from carrying out any mining operations in Chiadzwa without authority saying allowing the firm to resume extraction of the gems was tantamount to sanctioning illegality.

Justice Joseph Martin Mafusire, however, condemned the eviction on February 22 of Mbada from Chiadzwa.

He allowed Mbada to remain at the mining site for purposes of securing its assets until “such time that the validity of such Special Grants has been regularised in accordance with the law”.

“In casu, to allow Mbada to resume mining operations as before, when the right to do so expired, is to sanction an illegality,” ruled Justice Mafusire. “That, in my view, is contrary to public policy.”

The ruling follows an urgent application by Mauritius-registered Grandwell Holdings, which has a 50 percent stake in Mbada Diamonds (Private) Limited, contesting the eviction.

Details to follow…