Outrage over Lake Chivero pollution

THERE has been outrage from Harare residents following the revelation that the City of Harare is pumping raw sewage into Mukuvisi River which finds its way to Lake Chivero, polluting the capital’s main source of water.

Harare City Council has been discharging raw sewage into the Mukuvisi River, which flows into Lake Chivero, the city’s main water source, for the past two weeks, The Herald revealed this week.

This has created serious health and environmental hazards, resulting in Zimparks banning all fishing activities at Lake Chivero, where thousands of fish have died, alongside animals including four rhinos and three zebras.

The pollution, primarily from raw sewage, has caused a surge in cyanobacteria, posing health risks to both humans and wildlife.

A Herald team traced the sewage discharge back to the Crowborough Sewerage Works, one of Harare’s five treatment plants, which has a capacity of 54 million litres per day.

Observations revealed that the council was directly pumping sewage into the Mukuvisi River.

Along the sewer line, multiple burst pipes were found leaking sewage into the river and surrounding fields, where farmers depend on the flow.

Despite having replacement pipes available, the council is yet to install them, leaving them idle at the site.

Residents took to social media to vent their anger on the City of Harare and lambasted councillors and council officials over the crisis.

Below are some of the residents’ comments from social media platforms X and Facebook:

Why are they doing this to their perennial voters? – @LTN_Madondo

The City of Harare and local government must take immediate action to address this crisis. We’re on the brink of a cholera and typhoid outbreak, which would put countless lives at risk.

As citizens, we demand clean water, a proper sewer system, and regular waste collection. – Tendai Livingstone @REGGIENALDNYIRE

Mayor Mafume said informal settlements are to blame. Also mentioned the need to expand the city’s reticulation network but didn’t explain why they pump raw sewage into the river like you report. We heard that  EMA  has legal power to issue EPO but hasn’t. Why? – Thando Mathe @mathethando

This situation is extremely troubling, and it is essential that those responsible be held accountable.—Ayanda Moyo  @GoldAyanda

Am just wondering how and why the City Council executive is receiving salaries if they are…for the WHY? —@mdyanadzoching1

The government must fire this guy (Mayor Jacob Mafume)—Tiny Mudhomeni @KunaPote

This is horrifying!!! – Arnold Farai Bimha @afbimha Fire the whole council please including the mayor who is busy defending poor service delivery by shifting blame to residents etc — Chief Mangwende Jnr(Costar)TK @ChiefTKM

Mayor Mafume please explain to the nation -Young boy with the keys, @chief_Deekay This has been going on for over 15 years now, it’s not a new thing— Tony Stark @ggreeff77

And you still in denial that @JMafume and his crew are useless Harare needs a new social order till. We need a commission-pazh @hpazv81

Sad and shameful situation. Meanwhile there are hoards of parking marshals in cbd. Growing up I recall kwaive neteam rainhonga marara with a poking wire raive rakawanda. Now marara are a more tolerated sight as well as sewage kuma location. World class! With misplaced priorities – Chihota Chihota @ProgressChihota

Your worship, you need to do the honourable thing, to resign. We are tired of lies from politicians like you – Taruvinga Shortie Musiyiwa

Can he show us the results of the daily testing? – Sarah Todd

Can we bring the treated water to your office and drink it publicly? – Albert M. K Chabuda

Experts have said the rise in cyanobacteria due to pollution—primarily from raw sewage—poses health risks to both humans and animals alike.

“The situation at Lake Chivero is indeed concerning and raises several important ecological and environmental questions. Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to various wildlife, including large mammals like rhinos and other species.

If Zimparks attributes the deaths to cyanobacterial poisoning, it is plausible that this could affect both aquatic and terrestrial animals,”said an environmental expert.

He stressed that the toxins in Lake Chivero can enter the food chain; for example, animals might consume contaminated water or prey on fish that have been affected.

“While cyanobacteria poisoning is a significant concern, it’s important to consider other possible factors, like pollution, the mention of raw sewage entering the lake suggests that pollution could be contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem, impacting both water quality and the health of wildlife.”

He added that diseases could affect wildlife populations, especially if they are already stressed by environmental factors, adding that changes in the ecosystem, whether from human activity or climate change, could weaken animal populations, making them more susceptible to illness.

The expert said eutrophication, a condition that is often caused by nutrient runoff (like sewage), can lead to oxygen depletion, resulting in fish deaths.

Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Sithembiso Nyoni yesterday led a Government team to Lake Chivero and said measures are being put in place to protect the public.

“Our people are at risk not because of any external organisation, there are some people who are fishing in this lake, there are some people that are combining dead fish with live fish and then those fish are being sold to our people who may not die immediately but they may now start developing cancers. I came here because our animals, livestock are dying, there are people whose cattle, goats are dying, so that is an economy that is being shaken. We are responsible for the cleanliness, of the atmosphere and of the water,” said Minister Nyoni.