Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A villager from Dinde, Hwange was arrested on Friday for allegedly inciting fellow villagers to resist a coal exploration exercise by a Chinese company in the area.
Never Tshuma (45), of Katambe Village, under Chief Nekatambe chairs the Dinde Development Association.
He appeared before Hwange magistrate Aeline Munamati facing two counts of inciting violence.
Tshuma was, however, granted $10 000 bail by a Hwange court on Saturday. He will be back in court on 17 May for routine remand.
He was represented by Joylyn Change of Muvhiringi and Associates. Tshuma denies the charges.
The charges against Tshuma arose after he allegedly addressed villagers on 14 April saying the Chinese firm, Beifar Investment, should remove a tent that it had pitched in the area.
The villagers had gathered near the tent, saying they never consented to the investment programme in their area.
Police advised the community that Beifer investment had a special grant from the Ministry of Mines to explore coal in the area.
Tshuma allegedly told the community members to immediately remove the tent, which they did.
He was subsequently arrested and continued to order the community to accompany him to the police station.
