Allow citizens to trade in gold

EDITOR — I have travelled throughout Zimbabwe, and some of my family members are geologists or miners.

I have seen some of them either buying from small-scale miners or simply delivering their minerals to Fidelity Printers.

I remembered stopping at a drinking place in Kadoma only to be told that all the beers had been bought by small-scale miners (Makorokoza) who locked the fridge and took away the key.

Seeing a hive of activity at some growth point, I asked where the money was coming from and I was told that gold was “everywhere.”

With this in mind, why can’t our Government adopt the use of gold as a means of barter trade and repeal the old colonial law that stopped citizens from trading in gold and other precious minerals?

What I am simply proposing to our Government and the RBZ Governor is to change the mineral laws and fully empower our people by allowing our citizens to trade in gold, diamonds, and other minerals.

Zimbabwe is one of the richest countries on earth with respect to untapped natural resources per person.

The mineral exploration of a nation with one of the world’s largest diamond reserves, second largest platinum reserves and over 40 exploitable minerals has the potential to turn Zimbabwe into the jewel of Africa.

There is always hope in our motherland and let’s make it real.