Zim GBC News | Mat North Correspondent<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HWANGE \u2013 Five villagers from Diki in Hwange Rural District have been arrested after clashing with a Chinese-owned company, ZhongJin Heli Energy, which is attempting to extract water from the community’s Kolepe Dam without their consent, sparking fears of a severe water crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The arrested individuals, four women and one man identified as Chentani Mathe, Definite Munsaka, Simangele Singa, Linnet Zulu, and Likhwa Nyathi, are expected to appear in court. Their arrest highlights a growing conflict pitting the local community against the firm, which has already laid a pipeline to draw water from the dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward Councillor Wonder Ncube confirmed the ongoing dispute, revealing this is not the first time community members have been arrested over the issue. He emphasized that the villagers’ livelihoods are at stake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis issue has been happening for a while. As the councillor of the area, I have been going with the people, we were once arrested for that issue,\u201d Clr. Ncube said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe challenge is that this company is saying they paid money to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), who is saying is the owner of the water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Councillor Ncube sided with the community, warning of the dire consequences of diverting water to the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a councillor I am saying this is unfair because this irrigation has been the people\u2019s livelihood. If this dam dries up, people are going to suffer. I have been to the dam and there is indeed little water,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hwange District Residents Association also condemned the actions of ZhongJin Heli Energy. The association’s chairperson, Herbert Ncube, alleged underhand dealings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Chinese came over, they didn\u2019t make an arrangement for themselves, the dam is actually for the community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are told money exchanged hands. The incident is unacceptable and this is actually undermining the gains that the community have benefitted from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Diki Village Head, Joseph Change, presented a different account, stating that the company followed official channels. He claimed a meeting chaired by local Minister Richard Moyo and attended by ZINWA and community leaders gave the project the green light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was a meeting and the Minister was there, ZINWA said there is enough water to supply the irrigation and the Chinese. It was agreed during the meeting,\u201d Change said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He acknowledged the community’s silent dissent, adding,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough the farmers didn\u2019t want, during the meeting no one complained maybe out of respect for the Minister or fear, you may never know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allegations that Hwange Local Board chairperson Peterson Ncube was facilitating the company’s access were dismissed by him as \u201chighly misplaced and malicious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ZINWA had not responded to questions by the time of publication, leaving a critical gap in the narrative as the community braces for a fight over its most vital resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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