A Zimbabwe group representing villagers living near the Marange diamond workings says it intends to take Mbada Diamonds, a joint venture partner of the government, to court over alleged abuses including the setting of attack dogs on local residents.
Chiadzwa Community Development Trust said villagers Jealousy Nyakuni and Lazarus Mazite of Chipindirwe were badly injured when a security guard for Mbada set dogs on them this week for allegedly trespassing on the company's diamond workings.
The guard was identified only as Van Heerden, the group said.
Calls to Mbada went unanswered. But a company spokesman previously told VOA that the firm would look into alleged attacks by guard dogs on local residents.
Community Development Trust Project Manager Melanie Chiponda told reporter Sandra Nyaira that Mbada ignored calls and e-mails regarding the continuing dog attacks.
But upon learning that the organization was moving to file a civil suit the company proposed a meeting on Monday, she said.
"We are going to proceed to meet with Mbada representatives on Monday but it does not mean that we will necessarily abandon our plans," Chiponda said.
"We want to talk to Mbada about the villagers who are still living in their [mining zone] and are meeting abuses every day. There must be a way through which they should co-exist.There are many issues that worry us that we need to discuss with them, including employment practices, relocations and food rations."
Deputy Mines Minister Gift Chimanikire said his office was not aware of the alleged attacks on residents, but promised to investigate the complaints.
