The government has announced that the ban on fishing activities at Lake Chivero will remain in effect until the Ministry of Health and Child Care completes thorough investigations.
This decision follows the death of wildlife and fish around the lake, which is suspected to be linked to raw effluent being discharged into the water daily by the City of Harare.
During a media briefing at the Munhumutapa Building in Harare on Thursday, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Sithembiso Nyoni described the situation at Lake Chivero as critical.
She said that there is a need for a comprehensive approach to address pollution and ecological disturbances in the water body. Said Nyoni:
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Going forward, we will rope in the Ministry of Health to do the finding because we want to save lives. The ban cannot be lifted now and a whole of government and stakeholders’ approach is required to reverse the situation at Chivero.
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Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere said:
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We know that the councillors who are running Harare have failed, we hope that the Commission of Inquiry will determine if the councillors elected to run the authority can be replaced owing to their failures.
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Lake Chivero, located approximately 40 km southwest of Harare, is facing severe pollution, siltation, and ecological disturbances.
More than 20,000 families depend on the lake for both water and their livelihoods, particularly through fishing.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The government has said no fishing at Lake Chivero due to fish and wildlife deaths. The pollution is from sewage by Harare. The Minister of Environment called the situation "critical". They need help from Health Ministry to solve the problem. People are worried about the water quality. The government might replace Harare councillors. The lake is polluted and this affects many families who rely on it for water and fishing.

Government Extends Fishing Ban At Lake Chivero

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMPARKS) has temporarily banned fishing at Lake Chivero following the death of fish, wildlife and domestic animals, which is believed to be caused by water contamination.
ZIMPARKS spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed that the fishing ban, which took effect on December 16, is a precautionary measure.
It will allow relevant government departments, along with the Research and Scientific Services team, to conduct investigations and assess whether consuming the fish poses any risks to human health. Said Farawo:
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All fishing activities in Lake Chivero have been suspended with immediate effect following the deaths of fish due to the contamination of water.
The suspension serves as a precautionary measure and will pave way for relevant Government departments and our Research and Scientific Services team to investigate more and determine whether the consumption of the fish poses risk to humans.
During this time, we are increasing anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement in areas around the lake to prevent any fish from reaching the market.
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Meanwhile, Richard Tsvangirai, the Member of Parliament for Norton (CCC), under whose constituency Lake Chivero falls, has urged the relevant authorities to expedite their investigations to safeguard both lives and livelihoods. Said Tsvangirai:
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The suspension of fishing at Lake Chivero is a serious blow to the livelihoods of many fishermen in Norton Constituency, the majority of whom are youth.
I urge the Government to fast-track investigations and provide immediate support for affected families. Let’s act swiftly to protect both lives and livelihoods.
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Chivero serves as the main water source for Harare residents, and concerns over its contamination have intensified in recent days.
This follows ZIMPARKS’ confirmation of the death of four rhinos, along with other wildlife, livestock, and birds, which perished after drinking from the lake.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIMPARKS has stopped people from fishing at Lake Chivero because the water is contaminated and has killed fish and animals. They want to check if it's safe for people to eat the fish. The government is investigating. Richard Tsvangirai, a member of Parliament, is worried about the fishermen who rely on the lake for their livelihood. Lake Chivero provides water for people in Harare, so the contamination is a big concern. Four rhinos and other animals have died after drinking from the lake. The government needs to act quickly to protect people and animals.

ZIMPARKS Imposes Temporary Fishing Ban At Lake Chivero

Zimbabwe has signed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) Charter, in a move aimed at safeguarding the future of the kapenta fishing industry at Lake Kariba and other inland water bodies.
By joining the initiative, Zimbabwe becomes the 13th country to commit to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a growing concern in the region.
The kapenta industry in Zimbabwe supports thousands of livelihoods and produces over 20,000 tonnes of fish annually.
However, overfishing and IUU practices have increasingly jeopardized the industry’s long-term sustainability.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200035448/zimbabwe-joins-regional-effort-to-regulate-kapenta-industry">NewsDay</a>):
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Fish catches on Lake Kariba and other inland dams have been declining and the sizes of fish being caught are shrinking.
Effective regional coordination will improve the sustainable management of our fishery resources.
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Motseki Hlatshwayo, Technical Adviser for Fisheries at the SADC Secretariat, said that IUU fishing costs the SADC region approximately US$400 million annually, “threatening fish stocks, markets, governance, and livelihoods.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe signed a charter to protect the kapenta fishing industry at Lake Kariba and other places. Overfishing and illegal practices threaten the industry. By joining the SADC initiative, Zimbabwe is fighting against illegal fishing. The kapenta industry in Zimbabwe supports many livelihoods and produces lots of fish. Joining the initiative will help manage fishery resources better. Illegal fishing costs the SADC region a lot of money. The charter aims to protect fish stocks, markets, and people's jobs in the region.

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