Marange diamonds autopsy: investigating the Anjin deal between Chinese capital and the political military elite of Zimbabwe, plus the distribution of rents

Dube, Tadiwanashe

Marange diamonds autopsy: investigating the Anjin deal between Chinese capital and the political military elite of Zimbabwe, plus the distribution of rents

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Abstract

The study investigates the nature of deals between Chinese capital and the political-military elite in Zimbabwe, specifically exploring whether these interactions produce developmental outcomes or if they lean towards predatory practices. Using a case study of the Marange diamond fields, the Analytic Narratives and Process Tracing research methodology is applied to track the Anjin Limited deal in Marange from its inception till date. What is the nature of the deal involving Chinese diamond mining capital and the political-military elite in Zimbabwe, and how are the rents distributed? This paper argues that the Anjin deal is a high barrier arrangement that limits rents from flowing to local communities and national development. Access to this deal is only available to those with political connections and the political-military elite of Zimbabwe. The evidence supporting this argument is derived from the conspicuous absence of standard tender processes in the selection of Anjin. Further, it can be observed that due diligence processes are circumvented in favour of political connections and relationship with Zimbabwe's securocrats. Anjin's corporate strategy is seen to be extraction driven due to predatory engagement with political leadership. Consequently, the deal can be characterised as collusive and rent seeking, contributing very little to transformation, and the realisation of Zimbabwe's Vision 2030.

Keywords

Zimbabwe, military, Chinese

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