Online Reporter
Tafara Chibanda
THE City of Harare has admitted that it is also to blame for the pollution of Lake Chivero, the capital’s primary water source.
Acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo accepted part of the blame when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the city council.
Moyo acknowledged the alarming rise in pollutant concentrations in the lake.
“Our lake has not spilled, so the concentration of pollutants has really gone up.
“With the hot weather and algae proliferation, we are hoping that when the rains come, and the lake spills, we will have a better quality of water.
“Despite that fact, we are treating the water, even though we are using much more chemicals to meet the required standards,” he said.
He pointed to basin-wide contamination from multiple urban centres, including Ruwa, Epworth, Chitungwiza and Harare itself.
“The major pollutants that are causing this are nitrates and phosphates.
“Farming activities in the basin also contribute, as fertilizers sometimes find their way into the lake,” he said.
Leading evidence, Justice Ministry Chief Director Tapiwa Godzi pressed Moyo on whether Harare City Council was taking action to curb sewage waste, which is a significant contributor to the lake’s pollution. Moyo admitted the city was struggling to address the issue, citing lack of control over neighbouring towns and ongoing discussions with Government ministries.
“The City of Harare is contributing quite significantly to the basin through sewage and treated sewage spilling into our river sources,” he said.
Godzi also raised concern over irregularities in the city’s cattle farming project.
Moyo confirmed that the city owns approximately 4,000 cattle.
“We do sell cattle from time to time to finance our operations,” Moyo said.
Another contentious issue was the stalled Nanotech water purification project, which was meant to introduce a solar-powered purification system.
Moyo said the project has been on hold due to financial issues with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, despite payments already having been made.
“Nanotech mobilised on site but there hasn’t been much work because the Reserve Bank has asked for acquittals for the amounts that were paid,” he said.
“We are currently pumping around 260 to 280 megalitres per day but our demand is over 800 megalitres, sometimes reaching 1,200 megalitres,” he said.
Mathew Masinge