Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Senior Writer
ENVIRONMENTAL watchdogs are cracking down on illegal dumping, sand poaching, and environmental degradation in Bulawayo’s Killarney and Mahatshula suburbs. The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) have intensified efforts to combat the issues, which are part of a broader national drive for sustainable environmental management.
Gold panners have invaded several suburbs in Bulawayo, causing significant environmental damage and raising serious security concerns. Among the affected suburbs are Mahatshula, Emhlangeni and Killarney.
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and the police have been working to eliminate these illegal gold panning activities, which are often carried out under the cover of darkness.
Residents of the affected areas have repeatedly expressed fear, reporting that some panners are digging pits dangerously close to their homes in search of gold.
Responding to concerns raised in Parliament last week, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, acknowledged that Bulawayo Metropolitan Province faces several environmental challenges. She assured both legislators and residents that the Government is actively addressing these issues.
“I acknowledge the concerns raised by the Member of Parliament and would like to inform the House that Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, like other provinces, faces several environmental challenges, which are being addressed,” said Dr Ndlovu.
The minister revealed that a mapping exercise conducted by EMA had identified widespread environmental hazards.
“From the mapping exercise conducted by EMA, it was noted that the major environmental issues include pollution from solid waste dumped by residents, illegal mining and poaching. In response, EMA, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is addressing these issues,” she said.
Killarney and Mahatshula were identified as hotspots for illegal dumping and littering. According to the mapping exercise, Mahatshula had 12 illegal dumps, while Killarney showed widespread littering.
To address this, EMA has implemented a combination of law enforcement and community-led interventions.
“Law enforcement efforts have included 203 inspections, resulting in the issuance of 18 tickets to offenders found dumping waste. Environmental protection orders were issued to the local authority to clear identified illegal dumps — 10 orders in 2024 and 18 issued so far,” the Minister said.
Public awareness has also been prioritised.
“Additionally, 1 738 communication, education and public awareness programmes have been conducted to disseminate environmental information to the public, using local radio stations to help our people understand that dumping and littering are unacceptable,” she said.
The clean-up campaign has been bolstered by the Presidential initiative.
“Following the launch of the National Clean-Up Day by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa, which designates the first Friday of every month as Clean-Up Day, my ministry collaborates with residents in hotspot areas to conduct regular clean-ups and encourages recycling through waste recovery centres,” said Dr Ndlovu.
Communities in Magwegwe North, Luveve, Queens Park East and around Hillside Dam have already benefitted from the establishment of waste recovery centres, with plans to expand the initiative to more suburbs.
The ministry is also tightening controls on illegal mining and sand poaching, which have left large areas of land degraded.
“On illegal mining and sand poaching, my ministry has implemented various initiatives to mitigate land degradation caused by these activities,” said the minister.
To date, 332 inspections have been conducted, resulting in 19 tickets and nine environmental protection orders for site rehabilitation.
“For example, Reid Bravo rehabilitated one hectare of land affected by illegal mining at Mqabuko Heights and 3,75 hectares at Lot Kraal Farm, although these areas are not part of Killarney. This demonstrates our ministry’s efforts to hold polluters accountable for rehabilitation,” she said.
However, enforcement remains a challenge. Gold panning has persisted for years despite police raids aimed at curbing violence and environmental damage.
“Enforcement of illegal mining activities presents challenges as offenders often operate at night. Nevertheless, my ministry works with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the City of Bulawayo Rangers to conduct raids in affected areas.
“Due to the chaotic and nomadic nature of illegal mining, and the diverse backgrounds of the miners, it is difficult to identify those responsible for rehabilitating degraded areas,” Dr Ndlovu said.
She noted that illegal mining remains a nationwide challenge requiring greater resources and funding. Going forward, the Government is adopting the Polluter/User Pays Principle to ensure accountability.
“Addressing illegal mining nationwide is a significant task that requires adequate funding and resources. My ministry is committed to fully implementing the ‘Polluter/User Pays Principle’ to ensure that those who pollute and mine are held accountable.
“Therefore, my ministry, along with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, is working together to develop sustainable solutions to curb illegal mining,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu emphasised that the Ministry will remain vigilant in enforcing environmental laws while safeguarding constitutional rights.
“My Ministry will continue to monitor developments to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and to protect citizens’ rights as enshrined in Section 73 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” she said.
