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The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has banned two Chinese mining companies suspected of causing environmental damage through their alluvial mining activities along the Sanyati River.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200034525/govt-whips-errant-chinese-miners">NewsDay,</a> one of the companies was operating on the Hurungwe side, while the other had started clearing land on the Kariba rural side.
Both companies were reportedly using heavy equipment, including an excavator and water pump, among other machinery.
Mashonaland West EMA provincial spokesperson Munyaradzi Nhariswa said one of the companies, Riverlion (Pvt) Ltd, was sanctioned for excavating and modifying the river channel. He said:
Indeed, two companies were identified: Riverlion (Pvt) Ltd situated on the Hurungwe side and Baimei Investments located on the Nyaminyami side.
<blockquote>
Riverlion (Pvt) Ltd was engaged in riverbed mining activities along the Sanyati River, with open workings and a wash plant within the river.
The company was sanctioned for excavating and modifying the river channel as defined in the Environmental Management Act [Cap 20:27] as read with Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, as well as storage and usage of hazardous substances without the required licence from the agency as required in terms of Statutory Instrument 268 of 2018.
</blockquote>
Baimei Investments was sanctioned for implementing a prescribed project without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate. Said Nhariswa:
<blockquote>
The company was sanctioned for implementing a prescribed project without an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate as required in terms of the Environmental Management Act [Cap 20:27].
Both companies were served with environmental protection orders directing them to cease all mining activities immediately and relocate their equipment 500 metres away from the Sanyati River.
The order directed them to only recommence operations once they obtain the necessary licences.
</blockquote>
The companies had tampered with riverbeds as defined in EMA regulations which attracts “a fine not exceeding level 14 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Environmental Agency banned two Chinese mining companies for damaging Sanyati River. They used heavy equipment without licenses. The companies must stop mining and move equipment away from the river. They need to get the right licenses before they can start mining again. It's against the law to damage the river like they did. The companies could face fines or jail time.

EMA Bans Two Chinese Companies Over Damage To Sanyati River

The Greater Hwange Residents Trust and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) workers have petitioned the Matabeleland North provincial Environmental Management Agency (EMA) seeking the release of information regarding the pollution from Hwange Thermal Power Station of Ingagula township, which is located close to the power plant, reported the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200028795/residents-petition-ema-over-hwange-air-pollution">Southern Eye</a>.
They petitioned EMA through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and handed the petition to the EMA provincial manager Chipo Mpofu-Zuze.
According to human rights lawyers, the Ingagula township is situated close to a recently expanded thermal power station, posing a potential health risk to residents. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
Our clients advise that since the commissioning of the two units, air quality levels in Ingagula township and the surrounding areas have deteriorated and there are growing cases of poor health being caused by air pollution from the emissions of the power generating stations.
Our clients are concerned that the right of the residents to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being in terms of section 73(1)(a) of the Constitution is being violated.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR further stated that EMA must ensure that an operation of the size of the expanded power plant (whose installed capacity is 600MW) will not harm the environment and the communities residing in the particular area before it commences. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
In terms of the law, we are aware that for any operations of such magnitude to commence, in any area in Zimbabwe, your office is supposed to be informed and plays a crucial role as a regulatory authority in assessing and determining whether such an operation should commence and to ensure that the operation will not in any way harm the environment and the communities residing in the particular area.
We advise that our clients have the right to environmental information in terms of section 4(b) of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]. As such, we have been instructed as we hereby do to request that you furnish us within seven days of your receipt of this letter the environmental impact assessment report concluded prior to the completion of Units 7 and 8, the conditions on the permitted emissions in the emissions licence for the power station issued in terms of sections 64 and 65 of the Act.
</blockquote>
The ZLHR requested that EMA conduct investigations into the air pollution caused by the power generating station. This is per section 63(1)(b) of the relevant Act.
Additionally, the ZLHR requested that the EMA provide them with the most recent ambient air sampling results for Hwange town, with a specific focus on the Ingagula township and surrounding areas.
EMA has yet to respond to the petition.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hwange Residents Petition EMA Over Thermal Power Plant Pollution

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has said the Harare City Council ignored an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in allocating residential stands to Budiriro 5 CABS area homeowners whose houses have been inundated by floodwaters.
A Budiriro resident, Catherine Mugore, told <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/?p=18831">ZBC News</a> that an EIA conducted by EMA marked coordinates for the area, which showed the dangers of allocating residential on a river course. She said:
<blockquote>
All these houses which you see submerged in water were condemned by EMA a long time ago.
EMA noted that all the stands they red-flagged out of their coordinates were not supposed to be used or inhabited.
</blockquote>
EMA Principal Officer Liberty Mugadza told ZBC News that they gave the City of Harare a map of the area indicating where houses should not be built. Said Mugadza:
<blockquote>
An Environmental Impact Assessment must be done before any construction takes place but for the situation on the ground that was not done and efforts to ratify after the council had allocated land were then done when the council approached EMA.
An ecological assessment was done and demarcations were put where it’s possible to build and where it cannot be done.
All this information was given to the planning department at the local authority.
Now what is coming to our surprise is the time taken to effect the necessary changes.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association chairperson, Takesure Musiiwa said the local authority claims residents settled on the land illegally but the homeowners have proof of payment to the council. He said:
<blockquote>
The situation I am seeing here in Budiriro is vice versa. Instead of the council approaching EMA, they are inviting EMA to look into the current problems.
The council claims the affected people illegally acquired the stands, but if you go to the residents, they have proof of payment to the council. So, it gives a discord to what is happening.
</blockquote>
Fifty-one Budiriro 5B Extension residents have been moved to a temporary evacuation centre after their houses were submerged by water from the adjacent Marimba River when it broke its banks, a senior government official was reported as saying.
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works communication and advocacy director Gabriel Masvora said that a minor aged six years was swept away in the Marimba River. Her body was later retrieved.
Masvora said the rains had damaged property valued at nearly US$189 000 in Budiriro and Kuwadzana Paddocks.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Budiriro Floods: Council Ignored Warning And Pegged Stands On River Course - EMA

Almost 400 mega litres of raw and partially treated sewerage are flowing back to Lake Chivero daily, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has revealed.
The discharge of untreated sewage into Lake Chivero exposes Harare’s estimated 3.5 million consumers to serious health risks.
As a result, some Harare residents have abandoned drinking or cooking with Lake Chivero’s water, preferring to buy bottled water from shops.
In an interview with the <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200016684/146-000-megalitres-of-raw-sewage-gush-into-chivero">Zimbabwe Independent</a>, Amkela Sidange, environmental education and publicity manager at EMA, said flowing raw sewage has polluted both terrestrial ecosystems and water bodies. She said:
<blockquote>
Surveys by EMA indicate that an estimated 399 mega litres of raw and partially treated sewer are discharged into Lake Chivero (daily), which is one of the most pronounced drivers in pollution of the lake thus contaminating and polluting both terrestrial ecosystems and water bodies.
</blockquote>
The destruction of wetlands across the country due to urban sprawl and the unchecked parcelling out of State land by politically-connected land barons has worsened the situation.
Sidange said there was hope that under the National Wetland Masterplan, the ecologically fragile ecosystems can be preserved. She said:
<blockquote>
Wetland utilisation should only be done under a licence from EMA, failure of which can result in prosecution.
Commendable government efforts have been recorded recently, including the gazetting of the National Wetland Master Plan.
Increasing wetland area under sustainable management is one of the key objectives of the National Development Strategy.
To date, an estimated 252 000 hectares against a target of 500 000 hectares have been put under sustainable management
</blockquote>
Early this week, the City of Harare temporarily closed its water treatment plant due to a phenomenon called “lake turn” at Lake Chivero.
The local government authority explained that the “lake turn” occurred as a result of a sudden weather change on the night of 12 September.
It said the warm and dirty water at the bottom of the lake rose to the abstraction point (the level where water is drawn from the lake to the treatment works for treatment).
As a result, the City shut down “the plant to allow for adjustment of abstraction levels to draw better quality raw water for treatment.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

399 Megalitres Of Raw Sewage Flow Into Lake Chivero Daily - EMA

A truck carrying 30 000 litres of creosote termite poison travelling from South Africa recently overturned and spilled the poison into Murare River, a tributary of Odzi River.
The accident has caused a major environmental hazard in Nyanyadzi’s Gudyanga area and surrounding communities.
The pesticide contaminated the water and subsequently killed livestock, fish and other aquatic animals.
Following the accident, the Environment Management Agency (EMA) issued a warning to the public to avoid using water from the river for drinking, irrigation, or recreation.
EMA Manicaland provincial environment manager, Kingstone Chitotombe told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/30k-litres-of-termite-poison-spill-into-river/">The Manica Post</a> that it will take several weeks to decontaminate the river and declare the water safe. He said:
<blockquote>
After pumping out the contaminated water, we scooped the contaminated soil into lined ponds and treated the soil.
After treatment, we diverted the river flow so that it took a different route from the contaminated area.
We bypassed the former river flow so that we minimise further contamination, and so far the water is flowing well and we are almost complete with the clean-up.
We are currently monitoring the river channel as well as the water quality.
We are also monitoring the area where we disposed of the contaminated water to see whether it will be affected or not.
</blockquote>
Another EMA official, Alfinos Rugara told The Manica Post that they used a tipper, a hazardous material response truck and excavators to scoop the contaminated water from the river bed. He said:
<blockquote>
At least 30 000 litres of creosote oil spilled into Murare River when the truck was involved in an accident at Murare Bridge recently.
We acted immediately because Murare River feeds into Odzi River which also feeds into Save River. We issued warnings to the community to stop using the water.
We ended up excavating and draining water from the river because we found that once the creosote oil gets into the water, it separates into three components.
A part of the oil sticks to the river bed, another part remains on top of the water, while another component dissolves into the water.
We managed to scoop the river surface until we removed the level that had oil and put it in the lined points.
</blockquote>
Three boreholes in the area were temporarily closed as they were close to the contaminated river.
Villagers who spoke to The Manica Post said the poison killed some goats and thousands of fish, while their cattle now look sickly after drinking the poisoned water.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Creosote is derived from the distillation of tar from wood or coal and is used as a wood preservative.
Pesticide products containing creosote as the active ingredient are used to protect wood used outdoors (such as railroad ties and utility poles) against termites, fungi, mites and other pests.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

30 000 Litres Of Termite Poison Spill Into River

The Government through the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) says it will assist the families of the 10 men who lost their lives in a veld fire incident in Umzingwane District last year.
The affected families are set to receive a bereavement package, which includes an education fund to put the children of the deceased through school.
Mhlaliswa Ngwenya, who survived the fire disaster, will also receive a US$1 000 token of appreciation.
In a speech read on his behalf by Environmental Management Agency board chairman, Ambassador Zenzo Nsimbi, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
The death of the 10 men was a loss not only to their immediate families but to the entire nation. Such a loss is not felt by the immediate families only but by the entire nation.
This relief involves payment of a once-off condolence token to the next of kin for the three victims without spouses and children, payment of a once-off bereavement relief to the surviving spouses of seven victims, and payment of a once-off token of appreciation to the sole survivor of the fire disaster.
</blockquote>
The ten people died at a farm known as Lot 43 of Essexvale, near Falcon College, while trying to put out a raging veldt fire.
Veld fires are a significant problem in Zimbabwe, particularly during the dry season between May and October.
They are are often caused by human activity, such as improper disposal of cigarette butts or burning of fields for agricultural purposes.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Offers Bereavement Package To Esigodini Veld Fire Victims

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has said households do not require a licence to use generators.
This comes after EMA <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabweans-must-apply-for-a-licence-to-operate-generators-above-100kw/">ordered a Harare resident to pay a fine</a> of ZWL$100 000 for illegally operating “an air polluting appliance (generator) without a licence”.
The development caused panic among members of the public as many are now using generators to light their homes due to recurrent load shedding.
EMA Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Amkela Sidange told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/ema-dismisses-reports-on-licensing-household-generator-use/">The Herald</a> that only industrial and commercial generators attract a levy. She said:
<blockquote>
As a matter of fact, Section 64 of the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27) clearly stipulates that, “no owner or operator of a trade or any establishment shall emit a substance or energy which causes or is likely to cause air pollution without an emission licence”, thus clearly indicating that this is an operation at commercial level or for industrial use.
… a generator becomes the appliance and if it is consuming more than 5kg per hour of fuel, and being used for commercial purposes or industrial use, then it must be licenced by the Agency.
</blockquote>
According to a notice issued by EMA, owners of generators with an installed capacity of 100kW and above should be licenced. It reads in part:
<blockquote>
… it is necessary that all standby generators in Zimbabwe be registered with the Authority and all operators of generators with an installed capacity of 100kW and above be licensed, so that safety compliance can be monitored.
This is therefore to notify and advice the public that in terms of the law under the said Act:
<blockquote>
a) All owners of electricity generators equipment are required to register their generators with the Authority.
b) All operators of generating equipment of installed capacity of 100 kW and above are required in terms of Section 40 of the Act, to apply to the Authority for a licence.
c) Companies operating private distribution networks should, in terms of Section 40 of the Act, apply to the Authority for a licence to operate such networks
</blockquote>
To download the EMA standby generator registration and licencing form, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/zerapp.pdf">click here</a>.
</blockquote>

Households Do Not Require Licences To Use Generators - EMA

Zimbabwe’s current electricity crisis has forced businesses and households to resort to alternative sources of power including generators and solar.
However, according to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), one needs a licence to operate a generator over 100kVA.
EMA has since ordered a Harare resident to pay a fine of ZWL$100 000 for illegally operating “an air polluting appliance (generator) without a licence”.
EMA said the fixed penalty of (ZWL$100 000), is prescribed in terms of Section 64 of the Environmental Management Authority Act.
The authority warned the offender that failure to pay the fixed environmental penalty within 7 days by 20 February 2023, will result in an application by EMA for a warrant of their arrest.
According to a notice issued by EMA, owners of generators with an installed capacity of 100kW and above should be licenced. It reads in part:
<blockquote>
… it is necessary that all standby generators in Zimbabwe be registered with the Authority and all operators of generators with an installed capacity of 100kW and above be licensed, so that safety compliance can be monitored.
This is therefore to notify and advice the public that in terms of the law under the said Act:
a) All owners of electricity generators equipment are required to register their generators with the Authority.
b) All operators of generating equipment of installed capacity of 100 kW and above are required in terms of Section 40 of the Act, to apply to the Authority for a licence.
c) Companies operating private distribution networks should, in terms of Section 40 of the Act, apply to the Authority for a licence to operate such networks
</blockquote>
To download the EMA standby generator registration and licencing form, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/zerapp.pdf">click here</a>.

"Zimbabweans Must Apply For A Licence To Operate Generators Above 100kW"

Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, which is being run by ZANU PF benefactor and prominent gold dealer Pedzisai Scott Sakupwanya, has temporarily been closed by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) following reports of deaths of scores of artisanal miners.
Sakupwanya through his company Better Brands Mining has for some time, been defying EMA’s directive to stop operations until some civic groups threatened to demonstrate at the mine.
Three civic groups, that is Centre for Research and Development (CRD), Ziva Community Empowerment Trust, and Penhalonga Youth Development Ratepayers Trust, issued a joint statement on Sunday, 22 January.
In the statement, the groups claimed that 100 artisanal have died at Sakupwanya’s mine since 2020.
In a letter dated 20 January 2023, Better Brands said it was suspending operations in compliance with EMA’s directives. It reads:
<blockquote>
Better Brands hereby advises its valued stakeholders that all surface mining operations shall be suspended with immediate effect due to the concerns about the increased number of fatalities, and environmental degradation.
Better Brands Mining shall take this opportunity to restructure and rehabilitate the mining field in preparation for the resumption of surface and underground mining.
</blockquote>
CRD director James Mupfumi, however, questioned Better Brands’ sincerity in addressing the issues raised by EMA. He said:
<blockquote>
It is a temporary ban meant to fool the country from demanding accountability.
It has happened twice with lies on promises to return to safe mining practices.
We are approaching the government and Parliament to summon Better Brands.
</blockquote>
Mupfumi said if the government fails to address their grievances, they will approach the United Nations (UN) for redress. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006494/mine-deaths-haunt-ed-ally">NewsDay</a>

EMA Halts Redwing Mine's Operations

The Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has indefinitely postponed a ban on plastic carrier bag use, which was set to be effected on 31 December 2022 in a bid to reduce plastic pollution in the country.
EMA said the decision came after further consultations and “taking into consideration current national circumstances.”
In a letter to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu, EMA director general Aaron Chigona said:
<blockquote>
Following a letter from Ema to you dated 12 November 2021 on the phasing out of plastic carrier bags by 31 December 2022, EMA after further engagement with relevant sector organisations and also considering national circumstances has seen it fit to give more time before the phase-out is effected.
However, we should be mindful of the global thrust towards an international legally binding instrument to curb plastic pollution which is expected to be in place by 2025.
The agency, therefore, encourages the nation to embrace environmentally friendly alternatives and appreciates efforts that have been made in the provision and promotion of alternatives to carrier plastic bags.
</blockquote>
Chigona added that EMA will communicate timeframes to relevant sectors well on time for the nation to ready itself for the phase-out.
In 2017, EMA banned “kaylites” that were used for take-out food in restaurants in the country on grounds that the packaging has significant potential health risks. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003790/plastic-carrier-bag-ban-postponed">NewsDay</a>

EMA Postpones Plastic Carrier Bag Ban

Sebakwe River has been heavily polluted by small-scale and artisanal miners who discharge raw effluent into the river.
This was disclosed by the head of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in Kwekwe District, Daniel Magombedze.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the Development of National Environment Plan meeting held in Kwekwe recently. He said:
<blockquote>
We have the problem of water pollution in the district. If one is to look at Sebakwe River, for instance, one will realise that there are serious water pollution challenges in the river.
We have sewage and effluent discharges from mining operations polluting the water. This indeed is a serious cause for concern.
</blockquote>
The pollution of the Sebakwe River poses a danger to farmers downstream who rely on the river for water for domestic use and for their livestock.
Recently, a community borehole in Munyati was poisoned by unknown people. Magombedze said the matter is under investigation. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/ema-concerned-with-discharge-of-raw-effluent-in-sebakwe-river/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Miners Discharge Raw Effluent In Sebakwe River

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) says more than one million hectares of forests and farmland have been destroyed by veld fires over a three-month period. The fires have killed 16 people during the same period.
EMA environment education and publicity manager Amkela Sidange said that overall, 6 042 incidences of veld fires have so far been recorded, compared to 3 673 in 2021. This represents a 64.5% increase.
Sidange revealed that the average burnt area per incident has risen to the current 253.5 hectares from 234 hectares in 2021. <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-one-million-hectares-destroyed-by-fire">She was quoted as saying:</a>
<blockquote>
Week-on-week, burnt area trends indicate that the 2022 fire restriction has kept a constant upward trend compared to the 2021 fire season.
This is attributed to the dry and windy conditions that are prevailing in the country, and this has persisted for longer than usual, a possible indication of shifts in seasons due to climatic change.
</blockquote>
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa recently told the Senate that the government is considering amending the Environmental Management Act so that people who carelessly start veld fires are punished severely.
This follows the death of ten people on Monday who died while trying to put out a veld fire at Rodrose Farm in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province.
In August this year, an 80-year-old security guard from Plumstead Farm, Banket, was killed by a runaway veld fire and his corpse charred beyond recognition.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the now-deceased, Sakatiza Mariza, was on his way home from his workplace when he was burnt.
In 2019, a Bindura farmer was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Magistrate Moreblessing Makati for starting a veld fire that burnt another farmer’s inputs and properties worth around ZWL$16 000.
Wicklow Handiroya (67) of Ledbury Farm in Bindura started the fire on his property to clear land for the upcoming summer cropping season.

One Million Hectares Destroyed By Fire - EMA

Youths who are involved in small-scale mining have appealed to authorities to reduce the mining levies required for one to operate in order to allow growth and development in the sector.
In June 2021, the government, through Statutory Instrument 185 of 2021, announced new mining fees which are considered exorbitant by small-scale miners.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/small-scale-miners-cry-foul-over-exorbitant-taxes/" rel="nofollow">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) youth secretary for Matabeleland North, Nkululeko Ngwenya said the high fees are negatively affecting the growth of the mining sector. He said:
<blockquote>
Mines inspection fee is US$300, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) wants US$250, then the council also wants US$400. The money needed is too much and affects growth in the sector.
We are asking that the government might consider our pleas and reduce operations fees so that the industry may grow and boom, supporting development in the mining sector.
</blockquote>
Ngwenya said the exorbitant fees have hindered many small-scale miners from formally registering and regularising their illegal operations.

Small-scale Miners Plead For Reduction Of Taxes

A Zambia-bound truck that was carrying 35 tonnes of sulphur overturned and caught fire at the 311km peg along the Harare-Chirundu Highway, near Tsetse checkpoint in Hurungwe District, triggering land and air pollution.
The horse and first trailer belonging to Top Hisheen Company were burnt to shells in the incident.
Preliminary investigations by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) indicate that the truck was travelling outside the stipulated times, and failed to report the incident.
According to EMA, transporters of potentially hazardous substances or minerals that can pollute the environment should travel between 4 am and 8 pm.
Noone was killed in the accident but besides the fire which engulfed the scene, plumes of toxic smoke containing sulphur compounds travelled as far as Chirundu Border Post. EMA said:
<blockquote>
The Environmental Management Agency is working closely with the transporter (Top Hisheen) to extinguish the fire and commence the spillage clean-up exercise.
Section 73 of the Environmental Management Act prohibits the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment and places the responsibility of rehabilitating and restoring the affected area on the polluter.
Our preliminary investigations indicate that the truck was travelling outside the stipulated times, and failed to report the incident to the Agency within the shortest period of time as required.
Timely reporting of spillages ensures swift response to minimise environmental pollution as well as start rescue efforts
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zambia-bound-truck-spills-35-tonnes-of-sulphur/">The Herald</a></h4>

Zambia-bound Truck Spills 35 Tonnes Of Sulphur In Hurungwe

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has called on both rural and urban local authorities to protect the country’s wetlands to ensure that they serve their purpose.
EMA provincial monitoring officer for Manicaland, Earnest Marange, said it is critical to educate local authorities and members of the public on the importance of wetlands in the ecosystem. He said:
<blockquote>
Wetlands have come under threat in both the rural and urban areas owing to farming and construction activities.
We, therefore, would like to urge local authorities to preserve them when they do their civil planning.
</blockquote>
Wetlands are areas that are typically areas saturated flooded by water either permanently or seasonally. 
According to an <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-02/documents/wetlandfunctionsvalues.pdf">online source</a>, the benefits of wetland include fish and wildlife habitats, natural water quality improvement, flood storage, shoreline erosion protection, opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciation, as well as reducing flood damage and preserving water quality.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/preserve-wetlands-local-authorities-urged/">The Manica Post</a></h4>

Local Authorities Urged To Preserve Wetlands

Health and environmental authorities have urged Mutare residents to desist from consuming fish and using water from Fernvalley Dam in the wake of revelations that the water source might have been poisoned.
Residents this Sunday woke up to a shocking sight of hordes of dead fish in the nearby dam, with speculation rife that the water source could have been poisoned.
Veterinary Services Provincial Epidemiologist, Dr Innocent Chabhanga said that they have collected samples to ascertain what may have caused the death of the fish. He said:
<blockquote>
We have collected samples of the dead and living fish for post-mortem analysis as well as laboratory analysis.
We have also taken water samples and sediments for analysis to ascertain the nature of toxins in the water. It is not safe to use the water for now.
</blockquote>
The Environmental Management Agency Provincial Manager for Manicaland, Kingstone Chitotombe described the situation as dire. Said Chitotombe:
<blockquote>
We are witnessing a situation where fish was poisoned in Fernvalley Dam. We are suspecting that some fishermen and poachers put some poison into the water trying to catch fish. 
We are discouraging people from using unorthodox and dangerous means to hunt for fish because it is not only detrimental to the fish but the aquatic life as a whole.
We are just seeing visible fish but we don’t know the extent of the aquatic life destroyed due to poisoning of the water.
We are discouraging people from buying fish from mare vendors because there are possibilities of people taking the poisoned fish and selling them.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/mutare-residents-warned-against-consuming-fish-from-fernvalley-dam/">ZBC News</a></h4>

Mutare Residents Warned Against Eating Fish From Fernvalley Dam

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has given Harare City Council a ten-day ultimatum to clear all illegal dumpsites in Mbare high-density suburb.
Harare Metropolitan Province Environmental Education and Publicity Officer Ms Batsirai Sibanda said the agency observed that Mbare is dotted with illegal dumps. Sibanda said:
<blockquote>On February 2, 2021, the Environmental Management Agency has served City of Harare with an Environmental Protection Order.
The circumstance giving rise to serving of the order is of illegal dumps due to non-refuse collection in Mbare in areas that include Mbare Musika Terminus exit, Farmer’s Market, Matererini Flats transfer point, Mutare Rank, Remembrance House transfer point and at Corner Chigwida Street and Ardbernie Street.</blockquote>
Sibanda added that the agency ordered that on or before February 12, the City of Harare should have cleared all the waste from the above-mentioned points and to ensure that any other illegal dumps in Mbare are cleared. She added:
<blockquote>The agency encourages all local authorities to prioritise waste management issues and to adopt an integrated solid waste management plan, which promotes a circular economy.</blockquote>
Ms Sibanda said of mid-January the environmental agency to date has provided City of Harare with a tractor to collect spoils of waste left during storm drain clearing.
Two weeks ago, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a> visited Mbare and observed that the suburb is a health time bomb which can explode any time.
Residents are at the risk of contracting diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid. See pictures below.
<img alt="MBARE DUMPSITE" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-195563" decoding="async" height="150" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-DUMPSITE-1-300x150.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-DUMPSITE-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-DUMPSITE-1-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-DUMPSITE-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-DUMPSITE-1-700x350.jpg 700w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-DUMPSITE-1.jpg 1200w" width="300"/> <img alt="MBARE FLATS DUMPSITES" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-195564" decoding="async" height="200" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-DUMPSITES-300x200.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-DUMPSITES-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-DUMPSITES-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-DUMPSITES.jpeg 960w" width="300"/> <img alt="MBARE FLATS" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-195565" decoding="async" height="200" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-300x200.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-FLATS.jpeg 960w" width="300"/> <img alt="Mbare inbabitable flats" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-195566" decoding="async" height="200" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mbare-inbabitable-flats-300x200.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mbare-inbabitable-flats-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mbare-inbabitable-flats-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mbare-inbabitable-flats.jpeg 960w" width="300"/> <img alt="MBARE SUBURB DUMPSITE" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-195567" decoding="async" height="150" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-SUBURB-DUMPSITE-1-300x150.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-SUBURB-DUMPSITE-1-300x150.jpeg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-SUBURB-DUMPSITE-1-1024x512.jpeg 1024w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-SUBURB-DUMPSITE-1-768x384.jpeg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-SUBURB-DUMPSITE-1-700x350.jpeg 700w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MBARE-SUBURB-DUMPSITE-1.jpeg 1200w" width="300"/>
Apart from Mbare, the city has been struggling to collect refuse in almost every suburb resulting in the mushrooming of undesignated dumpsites.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-ema-gives-harare-10-days-to-clear-dumpsites/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a>

Harare Given 10-day Ultimatum To Clear Mbare Dumpsites

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has called for the imposition of restorative penalties on those found guilty of damaging the environment rather than fines which are no longer a deterrent.
EMA director-general, Aaron Chigona, said the fines have been eroded by inflation and offenders should now be made to meet the cost of restoring the environment.
Chigona made the remarks while speaking at the National Wetlands Policy management guidelines consultative workshop in Bulawayo on Tuesday. He said:
<blockquote>Environmental crimes are from level 1 to 14. Those found guilty of committing level 14 crimes are currently paying ZWL$120 000, which approximately translates to US$1200 and when those people are found guilty, they just pay the fine and walk scot-free.
We are now advocating for an environmental restoration penalty because the issue of fines is not doing anything good to our environment as they are not deterrent enough.
If someone disturbs a wetland, they should meet the cost of restoring it because the process of restoring a wetland is too expensive.</blockquote>
The EMA boss also said it is indefensible for those accused of environmental crimes to claim that offences were committed due to issues beyond their control.
Speaking at the same function, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Munesu Munodawafa, also said the EMA fines had become insignificant.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/ema-says-fines-no-longer-deterrent-pushes-for-restoration-penalties/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

EMA Says Environmental Criminals Must Pay Restorative Penalties

The Member of Parliament for Norton Temba Mliswa (Independent) has accused the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) of corruption for allegedly allowing Norton Bricks to resume operations without having fully complied with an Environmental Protection Order.
Mliswa argued that EMA should have ensured that Norton Bricks had put measures in place for dust suppression first before it was allowed to recommence its operations. He <a href="https://twitter.com/TembaMliswa/status/1302088391639666689" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">posted</a> on his Twitter page:
<blockquote>This is where the aspect of corruption comes in. EMA, how do you allow a company to commence operations BEFORE compliance has been adhered to?
Shouldn’t dust suppression be resolved first? It’s the very dust that’s affecting people. Why were they closed in the first place?</blockquote>
In a letter dated 28 August 2020 and addressed to the Norton Bricks director, the EMA Director-General, Aaron Chigona said the Environmental Protection Order against the brick-making firm had been lifted. Chigona wrote:
<blockquote>Reference to your letter dated 17 August 2020 requesting for the lifting of Environmental Protection Order Number 0007163 served to in terms of Section 37%) of the Environmental Management Act. Chapter 20:27 and request for resumption of operations.
The Environmental Protection Order has been lifted and permission to resume operations has been granted on condition that progressive rehabilitation, as well as dust suppression, is done effectively.
The Agency’s duly appointed inspectors will continuously visit and monitor your operations at all reasonable times with or without prior notice.
Deviations and contraventions will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.</blockquote>

Mliswa Accuses EMA Officials Of Corruption

Families who have been cultivating a piece of land on the Zambezi River floodplain for 100 years have been ordered to vacate so that the land is used for raising hippopotamuses.
The land is in Hwange District’s Msuna area and the place is a fishing island with 21 lodges and a number of tourism activities.
Recently, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) issued $500 tickets to most of the villagers ordering them to leave or face arrest.
A villager who spoke to The Chronicle said that their forefathers settled in the area in the 1920s and they have been growing crops on the island for decades. The villager was quoted as having said:
<blockquote>Six villages are affected. We know there are some tour operators who have influenced the decision so that they have the island for their hippos.
Right now people have been fined $500 each by Ema who have threatened to slash the maize crop which is nearing maturity.</blockquote>
One of the village heads, Rosemary Shoko, said the people will starve if EMA goes ahead and slashes their crops. She said:
<blockquote>People have been cultivating in that area for many decades. They want the land for their hippos which is not right.
Now people’s crops are almost mature and they want to slash them. What will people eat?</blockquote>
However, Hwange District Development Coordinator Simon Muleya confirmed the eviction of the villagers and dismissed as untrue that the eviction was meant to benefit individuals. Muleya said:
<blockquote>The reason for eviction is because they are ploughing near the river which is causing land degradation and siltation.
Meetings have been held with them but they insist that the place belonged to their ancestors who lived there doing stream bank cultivation.
It’s not true that they are being evicted to pave way for some whites.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/families-face-eviction/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Villagers Forced Off Ancestral Land For Hippos

EMA has suspended operations for Sunny Yi Feng Tiles Zimbabwe a Norton based tile manufacturer after the latter defied an order by the former to install emission sampling points, The Herald reports.
This was revealed by EMA spokesperson Ms Amkela Sidanke who said EMA ordered Sunny Yi Feng to halt all operation on or before 16 August 2020.
According to Sidanke, the tile manufacturer was on 5 August ordered to establish emission sampling points for a sampling exercise that would be facilitated by the agency scheduled for August 12:
<blockquote>However, on the date earmarked for the sampling exercise, the company failed to establish sampling points as had been requested by the agency and further to that, the boiler and furnace were switched off, making it technically impossible to do sampling, thus deliberately obstructing the course of justice.</blockquote>
Sunny Yi Feng Tiles is yet to comment on the developments.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/ema-shuts-down-norton-tile-plant/">The Herald </a>

EMA Shuts Down Sunny Yi Feng Tiles Zimbabwe's Norton Plant

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has granted Australian energy firm, Invictus Energy Limited (IEL) an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compliance for its Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe.
In a statement on Monday, IEL said EMA had granted Geo Associates (Private) Limited, IEL’s 80% owned subsidiary and holder of Special Grant 4571 for the exploration of oil and gas, permission to operate. It said:
<blockquote>The approval of the environmental management plan concludes the permitting requirements and enables the company to commence and undertake activities in the field, including seismic acquisition and exploration drilling.
The EIA study was conducted by independent environmental consultants, the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC).
The full EIA assessment included field surveys and baseline measurements of hydrology, ecology, environmental, archaeological, hydrogeological, soil surveys and socioeconomic and community consultations of the key project stakeholders, local leaders, relevant government ministries and government extension offices.</blockquote>
The Cabora Bassa project encompasses the Muzarabani Prospect believed to have multi-trillion cubic feet worth of liquids and rich in conventional gas-condensate.
In 2018, the firm released a report stating that the Muzarabani Prospect has high potential to produce 3,9 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas and 181 million barrels of conventional gas.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/08/invictus-gets-ema-nod/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Australian Energy Firm Gets EMA Approval

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has ordered Kariba City Council to demolish all gardens situated along waterways because they are blocking pathways used by animals which inturn increases wildlife-human interaction which could be dangerous, The Herald reports.
The matter came to light when the EMA Kariba district environmental officer Mr Charles Satiya spoke to the publication and said some of the gardens were blocking pathways used by animals to access the lake:
<blockquote>We have issued an order to Kariba Municipality that they must remove or cause the removal of gardens encroaching waterways with immediate effect and we are happy that the local authority has already taken a step to notify its residents to remove the gardens.</blockquote>
The town’s acting town clerk Mr Saratiere Chitenhe gave yet another explanation why the city was calling on residents to remove their gardens and said:
<blockquote>The Municipality of Kariba would like to inform Mahombekombe and Nyamhunga residents who have established small gardens in water ways, along streams and steep slopes to them with immediate effect.
The activity may cause siltation of streams and water pollution in the long run as well as extraction of poles from Parks area.</blockquote>
Kariba is home to about 26 000 people and it is a tourist attraction as activities like fishing, game drives etc can be done at the resort town.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-ema-orders-destruction-of-gardens-in-kariba/">The Herald </a>

EMA Orders Kariba To Demolish Waterway Gardens As They Are Endangering Lives

The City of Mutare has resolved to ban the use of farm bricks for both commercial and residential construction in line with a directive issued by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
EMA gave the order in 2016, and following a recent full council meeting, councillors took the decision to comply.
263Chat quotes Mutare Town Clerk Joshua Maligwa as saying:
<blockquote>We are obliged as a council to comply with the EMA order issued in June 2016 which then set a deadline of December 2016 for the council to stop using farm bricks for institutional, commercial and residential construction in the city of Mutare.
EMA has made this decision because the use of farm bricks promotes destructive practices to the environment particularly rampant deforestation as large quantities of firewood are used in the manufacturing of farm bricks.
As a progressive council we also have the master plan which envisages transforming Mutare into a smart city and how then do we reconcile the use of farm bricks and construction of story buildings.</blockquote>
Maligwa revealed that Mutare City Council has a 35-hectare site that has been set aside for brickmaking lying idle.
He also revealed that the fear of litigation after violating the EMA Act has forced the council to comply with the EMA directive.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.263chat.com/mutare-city-bans-use-of-farm-bricks-for-construction/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">263Chat</a></h4>

Mutare Council Bans Use Of Farm Bricks In Line With EMA Directive

The government has availed $300 000 to Victoria Falls municipality for the construction of a dumpsite landfill.
The funds were released through the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and Vice President Kembo Mohadi handed over the cheque while officiating at the National Clean-Up Day exercise in Victoria Falls on Friday. Mohadi had this to say:
<blockquote>I’m reliably informed that the current town’s dumpsite is prone to fires which pollute our air and the waste remains are scattered into the environment which is an eyesore.
It’s encouraging to observe that EMA has contributed $300 000 for the construction of the landfill. I, therefore, call upon the local authority to identify partners for the construction of a standard landfill.</blockquote>
Victoria Falls is considered the cleanest urban settlement in the country. However, poor disposal of litter has resulted in massive pollution resulting in the death of some wildlife after consuming plastic material.
<h4>Related:</h4>
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<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-300k-for-vic-falls/">The Herald</a></h4>

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