Andrew Mambondiyani is a journalist based in Zimbabwe. He recently served as a Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT (USA) and a Middlebury Environmental Journalism Fellow (USA). He has covered illegal mining in Zimbabwe for over five years.
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Published in: HomeDripping with blood: the Marange diamond fieldsDespite numerous human rights violations in the Marange diamond fields, the area is not classified as producing 'blood diamonds'. But by any ordinary definition, it should be. The diamonds are dripping with blood, as the battle between formal mining companies and illegal panners continues unabated.
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Published in: HomeThe fields of Marange: where is the diamond money?Local communities were supposed to reap the benefits of rich resources since Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields were opened up to formal mining in 2009. Four years on, impoverished locals are still waiting.
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Published in: HomeTobacco farmers wiping out Zimbabwe’s indigenous forests
Following Mugabe's land reforms, Zimbabwe's farmers are turning to the booming tobacco industry to alleviate poverty, but this get-rich quick-fix scheme comes at what price to the local environment and farming communities?
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Published in: HomeChinese companies under scrutiny in Zimbabwe
Ten years into the Look East policy, Zimbabwe is showing itself to be a not-so-satisfied customer of Chinese investment.
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Published in: HomeIllegal diamond mining in Zimbabwe
Despite spirited efforts by the government to convince the international community that illegal mining and diamond underhand dealings in Marange (Chiadzwa) were under control, events on the ground suggest otherwise.