Mashala villagers lose their livestock to water pollution

Villagers in Hwange have raised their concerns over the pollution of water sources in the district
that has led to them losing their livestock.
Members of the community say they continue to lose their livestock which are dying from
drinking contaminated water from Deka River. Besides their livestock, the villagers say they can
no longer earn money from selling fish as they too are dying in the river due to the contaminated
water.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance engagement meeting with stakeholder and
villagers held at the Hwange District Development Coordinator Conference room on Friday, the
villagers wanted to know of the mitigatory measures the miners intend to take to end the water
pollution problem.
Smart Ndlovu from Mashala ward blamed the Veterinary services for not responding promptly
whenever their livestock die from drinking contaminated water.
“A number of villagers have lost their cattle, we have reported the matter to the Environmental
Management Agency and Veterinary services but nothing is being done to our favour.”
Though some companies claim that they have built alkalization dams within their mining
systems, there is overwhelming evidence that the discharge is finding its way to some water
bodies.
Hwange coal entities include Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), Makomo Resources,
Garlpex, South Mining and other emerging coke production companies have been fingered as
part of the water pollution problem.
In response, Hwange District Veterinary Officer, Dr Lovemore Dube, said it is a process to
investigate cases of animal death linked to water pollution.
“We have received the reports but we work with people on the ground who pick up diseases
linked to deaths of animals, I can only confirm some of the causes of animal deaths after samples
have been taken to laboratory for testing,” he said
The Hwange District Environmental Officer Nothani Ndlovu pointed out that the water pollution
is likely caused by abandoned underground mining activities.
“The Acid mine drainage (AMD) from the mining activities in the area affects aquatic life
although it is not proven that it is a danger to livestock.”