Hwange villagers, miner clash over dam

Hwange villagers have petitioned the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to halt a Chinese company from extracting water from Kalope Dam, a community-built reservoir that serves as the primary water source for local irrigation schemes. The petition, dated October 1 and submitted by Dube Legal Practice on behalf of the Lukosi Irrigation Farmers in Change Ward 20, claims the community holds sole rights to the dam.

Kalope Dam supports around 1,500 families through irrigation and small-scale farming and also provides water for domestic use. It is home to crocodiles and other wildlife. However, the villagers allege that on September 8, Zinwa entered into a contract with ZhongJin Heli Energy (Private) Limited, permitting the company to draw 200 million litres of water daily for coal mining operations.

The lawyers argue that the contract violates the community's environmental rights under Section 73 of the Constitution and called on Zinwa to provide all information related to the agreement within 48 hours. They also highlighted the absence of any environmental impact assessment or scientific study prior to signing the contract.

Tensions escalated on Tuesday when villagers staged a protest against the company, blocking mine workers attempting to install pumping equipment at the dam. Two women, Chetani Mathe and Deficiency Ndlovu, were arrested during the demonstration. Simangele Singa, irrigation secretary, said the protest underscored the community's dependence on the dam for food security and water. Police eventually withdrew, and the Chinese workers abandoned the operation.

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has accused local leaders, including Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo, Chief Charles Nekatambe, Headman Joseph Chanke, and Zinwa officials, of colluding with the company at the community's expense. MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo described the attempted takeover of the dam as "another Gukurahundi in the making," criticising chiefs for failing to safeguard their subjects.

Zinwa has yet to respond to the villagers' legal petition.