Farai Maguwu, Director of the Centre for Research and Development in Zimbabwe, who has been persecuted by the government for his collaboration with the Kimberley Process and his efforts to investigate human rights violations in Zimbabwe's diamond fields, has been appointed to a now diamond monitoring position, Harare's media reported.

The Zimbabwean Civil Society named Maguwu, coordinator of the technical team of the Local Focal Point (LFP) for the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS).

The LFP, which consists of a technical committee of organizations actively involved in lobbying and advocacy work related to natural resources – especially pertaining to resource and diamond mining in and around the Chiadzwa area – will be housed at NANGO, the umbrella organization for non-governmental organizations in Zimbabwe.

According to reports, the Zimbabwean Civil Society wants to see the LFP become "instrumental in promoting dialogue and engagement amongst civil society, business and the government on the socio-economic matters affecting the country in the exploration of diamonds."

The KP local focal point is to present facts in full independence and support the KP Monitor in the performance of his duties pertaining to his function to report on the overall implementation of the Joint Working Plan (JWP).

Maguwu still faces criminal charges for allegedly "publishing falsehoods against the State with the intention to cause prejudice to the security or economic interests of the Zimbabwe," in connection with activities at Chiadzwa diamond fields.