Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Five villagers from Hwange have been released after spending two nights in police custody following their arrest over a protest against a Chinese-owned power company extracting water from a local dam.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the group includes four women, Simangele Singa (40), Definite Munsaka (34), Chetani Mathe (35) and Lynette Zulu (34), and one man, Likwa Nyathi (26).
They were arrested on Wednesday, 1 October, in Diki village, Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province. Said the ZLHR:
“They were charged with committing a litany of crimes among them obstructing any water works as defined in section 118(1)(a) of the Water Act, disorderly conduct as defined in section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and public indecency as defined in section 77(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
“When the five villagers appeared at Hwange Magistrates Court on Friday 3 October 2025 after spending two nights in police detention, prosecutors alleged that they unlawfully and intentionally obstructed some employees of Zhongjing Helli Energy from laying water pipes meant to draw water from Kalope Dam in Diki village.
“The prosecutors claimed that the five villagers had unlawfully and intentionally engaged in riotous conduct at Kalope Dam by threatening to strike some Zhongjing Helli Energy employees with stones.
“The prosecutors also alleged that Zulu, one of the villagers, had unlawfully and intentionally indecently exposed herself by removing her dress and exposing her breasts within the view of other persons.”
The five, who are represented by Thulani Nkala of ZLHR, were released on bail of US$100 each. They are due back in court on 17 October 2025.
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