and leave the field with bags of ore on our backs. We would pay a bribe to leave the field with the ore.49 The police were in full control, but seemed to deliberately let illegal mining and trading activities thrive, while seeking to profit from them.50 In an internal police memorandum dated September 18, 2007, obtained by Human Rights Watch, Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka stated that police officers stationed in Chiadzwa were engaged in corruption and that many were actively soliciting and receiving varying sums of cash from local miners in exchange for access to diamond fields. The memorandum noted: Following corruption where members of the police force received varying amounts of money from illegal diamond diggers (magweja)—17 constables, sergeants, and an assistant inspector were charged, convicted, and sentenced under the Police Act. They were all dismissed from the force. A further 11 officers facing corruption charges under the Police Act (omitting or neglecting to perform any duty or performing any duty in an improper manner)have since been relieved of their duties.51 Human Rights Watch found, however, that disciplinary action and prosecutions of police officers were highly selective and inconsistent. Police Smuggling Syndicates To guarantee for themselves a cut of the diamond revenue, police officers formed “syndicates” with local miners. A syndicate was a group of miners that operated under the direct control of members of the police. Groups of between two and five police officers would partner with a large group of local miners under a loose arrangement where police provided the local miners security and escort in the fields in return for a share of proceeds from selling any diamonds the local miners found. A syndicate run by two members of the police could have as many as 30 local miners, and the two police officers could control several 49 Human Rights Watch interview with local miner L.D., Mutare, February 8, 2009. 50 Human Rights Watch interview with local miner P.P., Mutare, February 5, 2009. See also Lloyd Sachikonye, Diamonds in Zimbabwe: A Situational Analysis, (Johannesburg, Southern Africa Resource Watch, May 2007), p. 12. 51 Zimbabwe Republic Police Internal Memo to all senior officers, “Corruption involving members/officers of the force at Marange diamond base,” September 18, 2007, on file with Human Rights Watch. 21 Human Rights Watch | June 2009