HARARE, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has won back its diamonds worth about 45 million U.S. dollars that had been seized in Belgium by a South African mining company three months ago, state media reported.
South Africa's Amari Platinum Holdings had sued the Zimbabwe government at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, France over its platinum concession that was cancelled by the Zimbabwe government a few years ago.
A group of former commercial famers had also sued the government and sought to attach the same diamonds for lack of compensation of their farms taken by the Zimbabwe government for distribution to landless blacks.
Citing government lawyer Farai Mutamangira, the Herald newspaper reported that the Brussels court dismissed the challenge by Amari Platinum Holdings.
"The court of First Instance in Antwerp has ruled in favour of Zimbabwe, dislodging the attachment of the diamonds belonging to mining companies," Mutamangira was quoted as saying.
He said the repatriation of the precious stones back to Zimbabwe will be done after Dec. 18 since the former white commercial farmers' case will be heard on Dec. 18.
Zimbabwe started selling its diamonds in Antwerp last year after the European Union decided to lift sanctions on state mining firm, the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation which has partnered six firms to mine diamonds in Marange.
The country also sold its gems at Dubai Diamond Exchange as it sought to gain experience before it conducted its first ever local diamond auction last month.
Estimated to possess diamonds enough to satisfy 25 percent of the world market, Zimbabwe has grown to become a significant diamond producer and is currently ranked the sixth largest diamond producer in the world.
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