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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Government has raised concern over the poor disposal of dangerous chemicals such as cyanide by mining companies in and around Kwekwe.
Kwekwe District administrator Mr Fortune Mpungu, who chairs the district environment committee, said they have noted with concern the poor methods of waste disposal by companies.
Some of the chemicals, he said, are posing serious danger to both flora and fauna.
“The district environmental committee has noted with concern the wanton disposal of dangerous chemicals by companies in Kwekwe District.
“In our latest meeting, we resolved to engage companies believed to be disposing these chemicals and advise them on practising recommended standards of disposing chemicals, and failure to do that, they would be prosecuted,” he said.
Mr Mpungu said if corrective measures were not taken, this could materially impact on people’s lives.
“We also intend to conduct an awareness campaign, where we will tell companies on safe methods of disposing of their waste.
“Most companies in Kwekwe use dangerous chemicals, but they do not practise safety measures when disposing waste,” he said.
Last month, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Cde Owen Ncube ordered a probe into claims that chemicals and raw sewage were being discharged into Zibagwe Dam, which supplies water to Kwekwe and Redcliff.
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