An outspoken South African churchman, Frank Chikane, almost died when his underpants were dusted with toxins.

ECONOMIST: South Africa

Abbey Chikane, a former boss of the South African Diamond Board who was appointed the group's first head, was asked to monitor things.

ECONOMIST: Zimbabwe's diamonds

Bizarrely, Mr Chikane, whose brother Frank was chief of staff to South Africa's former president, Thabo Mbeki, let Zimbabwe intelligence agents accompany him to his meeting with Mr Maguwu, despite warnings that this could endanger the NGO man's life.

ECONOMIST: Zimbabwe's diamonds