By Matabeleland North Correspondent
HWANGE Central legislator Daniel Molokele has stood behind villagers in Hwange’s Dinde community have clashed with some Chinese investors conducting a coal exploration operation on their land.
The row has spilled into the courts after police arrested Zanu PF ward and residents’ leader for blocking the mining project.
Beifa Investments claims to have a special mining grant to explore for coal in Dinde, about 30km outside Hwange town and the community was not consulted on the mining project which is feared could lead to the displacement of dozens of villagers.
Mines minister Winston Chitando has on several occasions shunned meeting the community with a recent one only being attended by Matabeleland North Minister of State, Richard Moyo.
By Staff Reporter
NEVER Tshuma (45), a Katambe villager in Hwange, was arrested Friday for allegedly inciting fellow villagers to resist a coal exploration exercise by some Chinese investors in the area.
He was however granted $10 000 bail by a Hwange court Saturday.
Tshuma chairs the Dinde Development Association in Hwange and is from the village, which is under Chief Nekatambe in Matabeleland North.
Tshuma appeared before Hwange magistrate Aeline Munamati facing two counts of inciting violence.
This was after he allegedly led a group of villagers to dismantle a tent that was pitched by Chinese Beifar Investment who wanted to conduct exploration for coal in the area.