Six villagers in Chisumbanje’s Chinyamukwakwa area have been arrested over allegations of malicious damage to property in a boundary dispute pitting the villagers against ethanol producer, Green Fuel Private Limited.
The villagers’ lawyer Langton Mhungu of Mhungu and Associates alleges that his clients were severely beaten up while in police custody to the extent that they need medical attention.
The six, Samson Mugovera, Kezi Mugovera, Chipo Chiripinda, Vaina Ndlovu, Edmore Ndlovu and Hasani Simango were arrested Tuesday for working in fields that the villagers and Green Fuel have been fighting for since the company was set up a couple of years ago.
Mhungu says the villagers could hardly walk and he has been trying to have them taken to the lcoal hospital. Studio 7 failed to reach the police member-in-charge a Mr. Nyamuzingwa as his mobile phone was not being answered.
But attorney Mhungu says he is pressing to bring his clients to court Thursday.
Platform for Youth Development director Claris Madhuku told Studio 7 that their wish is to ensure that the boundary conflict is clarified once and for all.
"We condemn the use of force by police but dialogue. This is no longer a new case since all the players are known, from the government, the investor and the community," said Madhuku.
