Five villagers from Diki in Hwange, Matabeleland North, have been released on bail after spending two nights in police custody following their arrest for allegedly protesting against the extraction of water from a local dam by a Chinese-owned power generation company.
The group, comprising four women – Simangele Singa (40), Definite Munsaka (34), Chetani Mathe (35) and Lynette Zulu (34) – and one man, Likwa Nyathi (26), were arrested on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said: “In Hwange, we have rescued 5 villagers, who have been set free after spending 2 nights in detention following their arrest for allegedly protesting against the extraction of water from a dam in their community by a power generating company.”
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Prosecutors told the Hwange Magistrates Court on Friday, 3 October, that the villagers unlawfully obstructed employees of Zhongjing Helli Energy from laying pipes to draw water from Kalope Dam. The State alleged that the group engaged in “riotous conduct” by threatening to strike workers with stones.
Prosecutors further claimed that Zulu exposed herself by undressing and showing her breasts in public. The villagers faced charges under section 118(1)(a) of the Water Act for obstructing water works, section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for disorderly conduct, and section 77(1)(a) of the same Act for public indecency.
ZLHR confirmed: “Singa, Munsaka, Mathe, Zulu and Nyathi, who were represented by Thulani Nkala of ZLHR, were set free on Friday 3 October 2025 after each of them were ordered to pay bail of US$100.”
The villagers are expected back in court on 17 October 2025.
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