COUNCILLORS in Bulawayo have raised alarm over rampant mining activities along river beds feeding the city’s supply dams, warning that the practice threatens the city’s already fragile raw water sources.
The concerns were raised during a full council meeting while debating a report on the future of water supplies in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
The councillors warned that uncontrolled riverbed mining in upper catchment areas was degrading the environment, disrupting natural water flows and potentially contaminating water sources, posing a major risk to Bulawayo’s long-term water security.
Councillor Adrian Moyo said the raw water supply situation had become a serious concern for city authorities and residents.
“There are big sponsors behind the mining activities at the river beds. There are a lot of questions that need answers that are being asked by the residents,” he said.
“Who authorised these mining activities on the river banks? Who is responsible for enforcement? What should be done to stop these activities and was this happening in other regions as well?”
Keep Reading
- I will definitely win 2023 elections: Mwonzora
- We will rule forever: ED says
- Measles death toll hits 650
- Govt challenges youths to participate in tourism
Moyo called for engagement with several central government ministries, including Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; Defence; Home Affairs; Local Government; Justice; and the Attorney General’s Office.
Councillor Aleck Ndlovu concurred, saying environmental degradation along river beds had become a serious crisis.
“National security is needed to stop all the mining activities. It is disturbing to observe heavy earth-moving equipment being used for mining purposes along the river beds,” he said.
Ndlovu said most of the city’s water supply dams were located in upper catchment areas now heavily affected by mining activities.
“Very low inflows are now being received at the supply dams. Water demand is rising in the city as the population also grows,” he said.
“Very low inflows were now being received at the supply dams. Water demand is rising in the city as the population is also growing,” he said.
Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo said residents had lost confidence in the council’s ability to protect water sources, urging authorities to enforce existing by-laws and national legislation.
“This could happen even at Glassblock Dam if the situation is not contained,” she warned.
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto called for intervention from the Joint Operations Command in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South, saying the council had repeatedly reported the issue.“No action has been taken. Mining activities are being sponsored. We request that the Zimbabwe National Army be deployed along the river banks to stop these mining activities,” he said.
Mabuto warned that the situation was also life-threatening.
“Dangerous chemicals are used to wash gold ore along the river beds. It would be a disaster if these chemicals got into the water system,” he said.
He also criticised the central government for what he described as a slow response to the crisis.
Councillor Royini Sekete dismissed claims that siltation was responsible for low water levels in supply dams.
“It must be noted that all supply dams are free from siltation. The major challenges are trenches, pits and heaps of soil along the river bed that block the free flow of water to the supply dams,” he said.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart said the city had begun engaging the highest levels of government over the matter.
“The retired Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Valerio Sibanda and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga have been engaged,” he said.
“The issue of mining along the river bed is also happening along the Mazowe River up to the dam. This is a clear indicator that it is a national crisis. The situation is worse in Bulawayo.”