Environmental and water rights advocates have given the City of Harare (CoH), the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and the Upper Manyame Sub-Catchment Council (UMSCC) a 48-hour deadline to address pollution in Lake Chivero and halt the discharge of untreated sewage into the vital water source.
The warning came from the Harare Wetlands Trust (HWT), which is represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
The ultimatum follows a statement from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which reported several animal deaths linked to cyanobacteria contamination in Lake Chivero.
HWT argues that the ongoing pollution of the lake is primarily caused by the CoH’s continuous dumping of raw sewage, which has not only led to the deaths of wildlife but has also made the water unsafe for human use.
The Trust emphasized that the CoH has a constitutional duty to protect the environment and ensure public health, as outlined in Sections 73 and 4(2)(g) of the Environmental Management Act.
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HWT warned that if EMA does not respond to their demands, it will pursue legal action.
In its letter to UMSCC, HWT has requested specific information within 24 hours, including details about the cause, scope, and severity of the cyanobacteria contamination, as well as any actions being taken to clean the lake. The Trust also demanded to know whether UMSCC has issued any measures or recommendations to prevent further contamination.
Should UMSCC fail to provide the requested information, HWT has indicated it will take legal steps to force the release of the details.
