Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Civil Protection Committee in Beitbridge is conducting full-scale investigations at the Limpopo River where an unknown substance has reportedly contaminated the water.
In a public notice, chairperson of the local civil protection committee, Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu, who is also the District Development Coordinator, said water experts working with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) had traced the water up to Shashe area where the Limpopo converges with the Shashe River.
The two rivers connect Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“Technocrats from EMA and water have traced the water up to the Shashe River and the water has the same green colour. So it is suspected that the contamination might be from South Africa,” said Mrs Mafu.
“Fortunately, dam 1 that supplies Beitbridge urban with water is not contaminated for now. The fear is for the public who might use water directly from the Limpopo River and Dam 2.
“Samples have been sent to the laboratory and we expect to have results by the end of the week.”
The town draws most of its water from Zhovhe Dam, which is fed by Limpopo River via Umzingwane River.
Water from the Limpopo is usually stored in Dam 1 before purification and is supplied to local residents and institutions.
