Residents block black road.

Hwange residents in P Section have taken matters into their hands and blocked a 3km stretch of road known as the Black road used as a short cut by trucks transporting coal but causing massive pollution and environmental damage.
The Black road is used by truck drivers as a short route from the highway to the Hwange power station as well as other mining companies. The movement of these trucks raises coal dust forcing residents to inhale thick black smoke thereby compromising their health.
Already the vegetation has turned grey and the residents say most of their children suffer from chest infections regularly. The busy and dust infested road is close P Section residential area hence the concern by the residents.
“We have tried to engage the mining companies through the Hwange District Development Coordinator DDC office but it’s all in vain,” said Khumbulani Mudenda one of the residents.
Said another: “Most of our children in P Section suffer from chest problems and as you can see the vegetation in this part of the Hwange is damaged.”
What irks the residents is the nonchalant attitude by the companies whose trucks use the stretch of the road. None of them want to take responsibility to make the road safer to residents who had suggested that they at least suppress the dust by constantly watering it.
Since it is no man’s land and it is cheaper and quicker for them to get to the highway, they continue using it much to the disgruntlement of the residents who have now blocked the road from further use.
The vegetation along the black road has turned grey and the ground is covered by soft coal dust which makes it even more difficult for pedestrians to use the road.
The local aspiring Ward 13 councilor Jonathan Masisan Mathe was in support of the residents saying while they did not want to disturb operations, all they want was for the transporters and coal mining companies to play their part and address the problem which has gone on for too long.
“We have blocked this road because we want the responsible stakeholder to be responsible and to suppress the dust coming from this road.”
Mathe said he has engaged the DCC, the police as well as the Environment Management Agency in order to bring the responsible authority to book.
Last month, Hwange women had a peaceful demonstration against coal dust in the mining town.