A Chinese investor reportedly died on Monday after being struck by lightning, according to human rights activist and environmentalist Farai Maguwu.
The incident is said to have occurred shortly after Mashonaland West Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, toured the WIH-ZIM cement plant in Magunje.
The plant, expected to produce around 1.8 million tonnes of cement a year, is already taking shape, with the ready-mix plant and brick machine installed.
Through a US$700 million investment, it is also set to produce 1.2 million tonnes of clinker annually.
Maguwu claimed the Chinese national was struck by lightning despite there being no thunderstorm at the time, suggesting the incident may have involved supernatural forces.
While belief in supernatural lightning is strong, particularly in rural communities, the Magunje incident—if it indeed occurred—took place during a period of heavy rainfall across the country, with thunderstorms reported in some areas. Maguwu wrote on X:
“Yesterday, after Marrian Chombo’s solidarity tour to the Chinese cement factory in Magunje, which is being fiercely resisted by the community, a Chinese ‘investor’ was struck by lightning.
“The sky was blue, but after Marian’s visit, there was a small cloud covering the area, and then the lightning struck.
“He was initially taken to Magunje hospital, where he was transferred to Karoi Hospital, where he died.
“The Magunje community is complaining that the cement project is too close to a community dam, but the political leadership is insisting that the project will go ahead despite the community’s resistance.”
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