ZIMBABWE DIAMOND 'SMUGGLER' HELD !

Thousands have turned to mining to make a living. A senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling party has been arrested at Harare airport for allegedly trying to smuggle diamonds out of the country. William Nhara, a Zanu-PF party spokesman for Harare province, was arrested on Thursday, police said. He is alleged to have tried to bribe the police officer who arrested him.

Zimbabwe's economy has collapsed in recent years and the country is said to be losing millions via the illegal smuggling of its mineral wealth. Last weekend a magistrate was arrested for allegedly prospecting for gold without a permit.

The government has launched a crackdown on illegal mining, arresting more than 30,000 people since November, according to Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper.

BBC NEWS REPORT.