adminChipinge Correspondent
MEMBER of National Assembly for Chipinge South, Cde Enock Porusingazi, has expressed concern over the pollution of Save River by diamond companies at Chiadzwa diamond fields in Marange.
Cde Porusingazi said all stakeholders benefiting from Save River, including local communities along the river basin were now worried by the effluent being discharged into Save River by the diamond mining companies.
He said most of the communities in downstream of Save River which stretches from Nyanyadzi down to Mahenye were at risk of contracting diseases since they depend on the river for all their domestic chores.
“Calls have been made to immediately solve the pollution problems, but no action is being done by these companies.
We implore the responsible authorities to come and rescue the affected communities before the situation gets out of hand.
“The downstream communities depend on Save River mainly for irrigation and domestic purposes, but now the situation is hazardous to people, animals and crops.
“We have received numerous reports from the public complaining that their livestock was dying after drinking the contaminated water,” he said.
Cde Porusingazi also expressed concern over the continuous invasion of people’s fields by wild animals straying from Save Conservancy.
“Wild animals from Save Conservancy are causing sleepless nights to farmers mainly in Middle Sabi, Chibuwe and Gumira. Elephants and lions are the major threats to crops and animals respectively,” he said.
Speaking at Mutema Irrigation Scheme in Chipinge on Tuesday, the Minster of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Christopher Mushohwe, said protection of the environment by diamond mining companies was part of their social responsibility of working in harmony with the community they operate from.
Cde Mushohwe said Government would address the situation in Marange because only a few companies in Marange were complying with Government’s call for them to plough back to the community.
“Government is concerned by the environmental impact caused by diamond mining at Chiadzwa which is affecting mostly the surrounding community.
“The President emphasized this in Gweru recently that all companies in Marange should fully embrace community share ownership trust.
“It is disheartening that the surrounding community is inhaling dust and yet it is regrettably getting nothing from the diamonds. Some of the diamond companies are misleading us into believing that diamonds are fast running out, yet we all know that these are lies.
“We cannot continue like this. A day shall come when we will refuse to negotiate with them. They should take heed of Government directives. Let us share the proceeds together,” he added.
Online Reporter