Published: 17 hours ago

Villagers in Mashonaland West are up in arms over a Chinese cement project that threatens to displace families, disrupt water supply, and cause environmental damage, despite a High Court order halting the development. The project, backed by the presidency, has sparked fierce resistance from local communities and traditional leaders.

Documents reveal that Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, acting on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's directive, instructed the Hurungwe Rural District Council to allocate 135 hectares of land to WHI-ZIM Construction Material Investments, a Chinese company. The project aims to build a 2,7 million-tonne cement plant alongside a 100MW power facility, with an estimated investment exceeding US$1 billion.

Villagers and neighbouring chiefs have raised concerns about the lack of consultations, potential water contamination from Kemureza Dam, and the loss of grazing and farmland. Chief Nematombo and Chief Dendera have both formally objected, warning that the venture could worsen food insecurity and health risks for thousands of residents.

Despite the objections, Labenmon Investments, the Chinese partner, began pegging off land and proceeding with construction. The High Court had earlier barred the company from expanding into areas used by Chasara and Kapere villagers, citing inadequate compensation and flaws in the environmental impact assessment. The court order appears to have been ignored.

Human rights groups, including the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, have condemned the process, citing violations of villagers' rights to consultation, compensation, and environmental protection. Reports indicate that local police have clashed with residents trying to access their ancestral land, with some arrested on charges of property damage.

Officials from the Hurungwe District Council and the ministries involved have largely remained silent or referred inquiries to one another, leaving villagers frustrated and feeling abandoned. Critics argue the project reflects top-down decision-making that prioritises investor interests over community welfare and environmental safeguards.

As the project continues amid legal and social contention, villagers are calling for genuine consultations, proper compensation, and adherence to environmental and human rights standards, warning that the current approach undermines sustainable development and local livelihoods.
- Newsday

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