Johannesburg - Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu
called for caution if the definition of "conflict diamonds" is reviewed,
according to a report on Tuesday.
Shabangu was speaking at the Kimberley Process Certification
Scheme (KPCS) inter-sessional meeting in Washington on Monday, Zimbabwe's Herald
Online reported.
Chairperson Gillian Milovanovic, from the US, proposed that
the definition of conflict diamonds should include "any diamond-related
violence".
Shabangu said that if the matter was not handled carefully,
the KPCS could face divisions and it could have dire implications for the
"millions of people who rely on diamond revenue".
Through "the spirit of ubuntu" countries like
Zimbabwe could access the diamond sector, which she said was "a
springboard for economic growth and development".
Milovanovic said the broader definition was needed to ensure
the credibility of the KPCS.