State Withdraws Case Against Dinde Vice Chair

By Romeo Takundwa

The state has this Friday withdrawn its case against Dinde Residents Association Vice Chairperson, Never Tshuma.

The reasons for withdrawal were not disclosed.

Never Tshuma was arrested on April 15, 2021 on allegations of inciting public violence after Katambe community members stormed Beifa Investments exploration site defending their land rights.

Never Tshuma was facing two counts of contravening Section 187 as read with Section 36 (1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 09:23.

As part of the bail conditions, Never Tshuma was banned by the court from setting foot in his rural home until the matter has been resolved.

The community of Dinde has been fighting to stop exploration for coal by Beifa Investments, citing breach of constitutionally guaranteed rights and cultural protocols.

The community contends that should the project continue, they will be subjected to forced relocations while others will be exposed to air and water pollution as the Nyantuwe River, which provides drinking water for humans and livestock, will not be spared.

They also fear the loss of livelihoods and grazing land for their livestock, destruction of cultural heritage sites such as community graveyards and ancient graves of the Nekatambe Chieftainship as well as contamination of ritual sites in that area.