BY CHARLES LAITON
Thousands of residents in Harare’s Msasa, Hatfield and Park Meadowlands are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases after a nearby chemical manufacturing company allegedly contaminated underground water in the area where most people rely on borehole water.
After the City of Harare failed to supply the suburbs for years, residents have resorted to using borehole water which is, unfortunately, contaminated.
International Alliance of Women vice-president Rita Marque-Mbatha has approached the acting Environment minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, seeking his intervention after efforts to engage the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) reportedly failed.
“We would like to register a complaint regarding the inactivity after a complaint of pollution of water was lodged with them (EMA) and we request a meeting with you to resolve the matter,” part of Mbatha’s letter to Ndlovu read.
“As the (acting) minister responsible for environmental management, natural resources management and organisational support and development, we humbly request your intervention to do what is within your authority under the law and personally take whatever steps necessary to vindicate the community’s rights.
“Communications have been made in vain and the level of inactivity with regards to the circumstances of the residence of Msasa, Hatfield and Park Meadowlands is with respect gross. Needless to say the health issues are extremely worrying.”
Mbatha added: “We implore you, for the sake of the community, our friends, the environment, the women and children we work with and the generations yet to be, to tackle this problem now.”
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On July 31, 2019, Mbatha again wrote to Ndlovu registering a complaint regarding the inactivity of EMA by refusing to release the tested water results with a view to warn residents using the water.
Before the latest letter, Mbatha also wrote to Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Priscah Mupfumira and EMA director-general Aaron Chigona.
Mbatha said although EMA was reluctant to share the outcome of the results in writing, they had confirmed by phone during follow-ups that the issue being complained about is a legacy problem emanating from a chemical manufacturing company nearby.
Efforts to get a comment from EMA spokesperson Steady Kangata were fruitless as he was said to be out of the country.
