By Robert Tapfumaneyi
VILLAGERS in Dinde area, Hwange are locked in stand-off with Chinese investors over the foreigners’ proposed coal exploration operations.
The villagers want the operation stopped arguing the Chinese investors are in breach of Zimbabwe’s environmental and customary laws.
They also accuse the investors of failing to produce any documents granting them permission to work in the area nor did they engage the local community for social cohesion.
The Chinese investors operating as Beifer Investments, moved to Dinde to start the work last Friday in Ward 13 of Hwange Rural District, Matabeleland North.
However, villagers fear that, should the project continue, they will be forced to relocate while others will be exposed to air and water pollution of Nyantuwe River which provides drinking water for humans and livestock.