From allafrica.com

A LIQUID that resembles diesel has been oozing out of a rock at the summit of a hill near Chinhoyi Caves.

The “diesel”, which is suspected to be a result of petroleum sipping through the dolomite and lime caves of the mountainous region, was discovered some time last year by local people.

CMED (Private) Limited has sunk a pipe into an opening at the site and erected a tank to collect the liquid.

CMED managing director Mr Davison Mhaka yesterday confirmed that samples of the “diesel” had been tested and found to be purer than the diesel currently being used in motor vehicles.

“We suspect that it is coming from the dolomite and lime caves underneath the hill. Petroleum could have sipped into these caves and right now it is overflowing in Makuti,” he said.

Mr Mhaka said the “diesel” at the site has an apple juice colour while the standard diesel is green in colour.

He added there was need for further explorations to verify the source and quantity of the precious liquid, which is currently in short supply in Zimbabwe.

Mashonaland West Governor Cde Nelson Samkange and officials from the CMED and other Government departments are reported to have visited the site.

Samples are understood to have been tested at Chinhoyi University of Technology where the liquid was used to run a diesel engine.

However, when The Herald crew arrived at the farm yesterday, the site was sealed off by a group of people led by a spirit medium who claimed to be the custodian of the place.

Two flags have been hoisted on wooden masts at the entrance to the farm where club-wielding men who claim to have been instructed to protect the site by the spirit medium have set up camp.

A man who identified himself as Svinurai Jenami, one of the more than 20 people camped at the foot of the hill, said no one would be allowed access to the site until an official announcement from the Government.

“When the time comes for you to publicise this matter we shall notify you. At the moment, there are a few things that need to be cleared before we allow people to visit the site.”

According to geologists, the mountain range sits on what is known as the Lomagundi Dolomite Aquifer.

If it is proved to be diesel, then the discovery will come barely a year after diamonds and emeralds sparked a flurry of mining activity in parts of Manicaland.