Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Civil Protection Committee in Beitbridge is carrying out full-scale investigations at the Limpopo River, where the water has reportedly been contaminated by an unknown substance.
In a public notice, chairperson of the local Civil Protection Committee (Beitbridge), 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 the Shashe area, where the Limpopo meets 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, which supplies Beitbridge urban with water, is not contaminated for now. So, 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 feeds into the Limpopo River via the Umzingwane River.
Water from the Limpopo is usually stored in Dam 1 before purification and being supplied to local residents and institutions.
