Brenna Matendere
MUTARE — The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) says it has launched an investigation into Mutare City Council over reports that the local authority is depositing industrial waste into the Sakubva River, endangering human and aquatic life in one of the largest water bodies in Manicaland province.
The development comes amid revelations that the local authority has, over the years, failed to stop pollution of the river, whose water is used for consumption by people residing downstream.
Newshub obtained a letter dated 2 December 2024 addressed to Mutare City Council Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka, referenced “City of Mutare’s responsibility in regard to the discharge of industrial effluent into the Sakubva River on an ongoing basis”, written by Lynne James, leader of the Mutare Rivers Rehabilitation Initiative (MRRI).
Part of the letter, which implored council to stop emitting industrial waste into the Sakubva River, reads: “Over the past three years, MRRI has documented the appallingly polluted state of the Sakubva River due to industrial waste. We have repeatedly reported this pollution to both the City of Mutare (COM) and to EMA, in writing, via WhatsApp reports, in meetings and in person.”
“We have also repeatedly written to COM asking for clarity around this issue, but we still await the courtesy of a reply ascertaining the facts surrounding why industrial effluent continues to be released into our river on an ongoing basis.
“As residents, we are aware of the many challenges faced by COM. We are also aware of the ‘legacy’ issues that are often spoken about by COM,” read the letter.
“However, when residents and ratepayers watch certain untenable transgressions continue unabated for years, it appears to go beyond ‘legacy’ issues.
“A ‘blind eye’ is effectively turned, and the appalling status quo continues.
“A permanent solution needs to be found to clean up our waterways.
“As residents, we are now saying that enough is enough,” further read the letter.
James highlighted in the letter that it would appear that council receives industrial waste from paying clients on an ongoing basis which they are unable to handle or process, and are therefore dumping it into the Sakubva River and stream systems.
“The Sakubva River flows black with this waste and is rendered totally unusable for human and animal consumption.
“When this is compounded by the massive sewerage burden that our waterways also carry, it is blatantly obvious that these waters are 100% unfit for consumption.
“How is it then that COM sees fit to pollute our own river system until it is totally toxic, yet this is the very water that fellow Zimbabweans must rely on downstream? Where is the fairness and accountability in this, let alone the fact that the entire river ecosystem suffers as a direct result of this pollution,” read the letter.
In an interview this week, James told Newshub that the council had not stopped emitting industrial waste into the river.
“It’s a crisis. The Sakubva River is 100% polluted, with massive sewerage breaks and industrial effluent. Nothing has changed.
“Businesses pay COM to dispose of their industrial effluent. Seventy percent of their water bills is charged for this. Some businesses are paying US$15,000 or more each month to dispose of effluent.
“Let’s say we have just 10 businesses paying US$10,000 each month — that’s US$1.2 million per year. Residents also pay sewerage charges. So, let’s say US$1.3 million is collected. Yet all this industrial waste ends up in our rivers as the sewerage system is totally defunct,” she said.
When contacted for comment, EMA national spokesperson Amkela Sidange said the agency is investigating the pollution of the Sakubva River by Mutare City Council.
“The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is aware of ongoing concerns regarding potential pollution of the Sakubva River from the suspected discharge of industrial and municipal wastewater.
“EMA has been continuously conducting routine monitoring inspections of effluent discharge points within Mutare, including along the Sakubva River and its tributaries.
Where non-compliance has been detected, the Agency has issued tickets and Environmental Protection Orders (EPOs), requiring remedial measures to be implemented.
“EMA has also engaged relevant stakeholders, including industry, to ensure adherence to environmental standards and to promote sustainable wastewater management practices.
The Agency will continue to monitor water quality in these aquatic systems and will not hesitate to prosecute offenders.
The Agency encourages continued public reporting of environmental concerns, which plays a vital role in strengthening monitoring and enforcement efforts towards the protection of the environment,” she said.
The Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27), Section 57, prohibits any dumping or discharge of pollutants into the aquatic environment in contravention of water pollution control standards.
Anyone found to be in violation of this shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level fourteen, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
As such, all operators of wastewater facilities are required to comply with effluent standards and licensing conditions.
Mutare City Council spokesperson Charles Sadondo acknowledged receiving written questions from this publication on the issue.
He, however, said he had challenges responding.
“I am currently attending a meeting… I will attend to it later,” he said.
When followed up, Sadondo said he was not at work and could not respond.