Debswana Head Marole Forced Out of Office?

Blackie Marole

(IDEX Online News) - Rumors are rife in Gaborone today that Blackie Marole, the managing director of Debswana, is being forced to step down. Whether he jumped or was pushed and whether this is with immediate effect or not, no one seems to know for sure but everyone seems to have a view. 

What is clear is that this is yet another serious knock at the top of the De Beers tree with Gareth Penny, the Group CEO, having also announced his departure at the end of July. 

Some are linking Marole's departure with the organizational review that has been taking place at Debswana and that Marole may be the first of a number of senior casualties. 

Other sources close to the company say the dismissal is a sign of tension between the two shareholders De Beers and the Government of Botswana ahead of the vital but stalled rough diamond marketing negotiations. 

De Beers is yet to publish a statement on this important development. Without confirmation there is no word on Marole's replacement.