Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has issued an order to stop operations and remove equipment on site to a developer in The Grange who was preparing to start development on a wetland in the area.
The wetland stretches from Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road (formerly Enterprise Road) crossing to Drew and Outspan in The Grange area. It is alleged that that whole area was sold off as residential low density stands by the City of Harare.
Residents are said to have lodged a number of complaints, according to posts on the Harare Metropolitan Province official Twitter page.
The residents pleaded with the Government to help them protect the wetland which had since been invaded by the developer.
Property owners in the area approached the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Mr Tafadzwa Muguti and he gave EMA a directive to quickly look into the matter and stop the wetland invasion.
In an interview on Thursday, EMA official Mr Leon Mutungamiri said they had visited the wetland in question and issued an order to stop operations or any developments.
He said they were shocked to learn that the developer did not even have the required paperwork yet they had want ahead and invaded the wetland.
“We went to inspect the area where there is a housing project being undertaken. As you know wetlands are sensitive ecosystems and they need to be preserved. As EMA, we issued an order to stop operations and remove equipment on site because they do not have an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate. Development projects only commence upon acquiring an EIA certificate from EMA,” said Mr Mutungamiri.
Residents expressed concern over the continued invasion of wetlands in their areas saying this was contributing to water crisis facing the City of Harare.
Vleis or wetlands are the primary water source for the City of Harare. They play an essential role in refilling rivers and water tables. Harare’s wetlands feed river systems that feed into Lake Chivero – the city’s main water supply. The destruction of wetlands will have dramatic and lasting effects on Harare’s water, making a bad situation, much worse.
