Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
RESIDENTS have called for the deployment of soldiers to the Umzingwane water catchment area to stem rampant illegal gold mining activities, which they say are exacerbating Bulawayo’s already fragile water supply situation.
They argue that widespread illegal mining along the Umzingwane River and surrounding catchment zones is causing extensive environmental degradation, including severe siltation and pollution of critical water sources feeding the city’s supply dams.
The Umzingwane catchment is a vital component of Bulawayo’s water supply system, feeding major dams such as Insiza, Inyankuni and Umzingwane. Any disruption to this catchment has immediate and far-reaching consequences for the city, which has long grappled with chronic water shortages.
Community leaders and civic organisations say the situation has significantly deteriorated in recent months, with illegal miners reportedly operating in large numbers and deploying heavy machinery that disturbs riverbeds, destroys vegetation and accelerates land degradation.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson, Mr Winos Dube, said the scale of environmental destruction had reached alarming levels and required urgent intervention.
“The scale of destruction is alarming. These activities are not only illegal but pose a direct threat to Bulawayo’s water security. We need decisive action, including the deployment of security forces, to restore order in these areas,” he said.
Mr Dube said while Bulawayo’s water challenges are partly linked to ageing infrastructure, diminishing dam inflows remain a major concern, a situation worsened by poor inflows despite normal to above-normal rainfall recorded during the previous season.
“The presence of soldiers could help restore order and preserve this scarce resource, which is critical for the survival of the city,” he added.
Bulawayo City Council officials have previously raised alarm over the growing encroachment of illegal miners into protected catchment zones, warning that such activities undermine efforts to safeguard water quality and maintain key infrastructure.
Residents are now urging central Government to intensify enforcement through joint operations involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army to remove illegal miners and safeguard vital water sources.
Future Water and Action Committee chairperson, Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu, said restoring order in the catchment areas was essential to improving water security for Bulawayo.
“Our catchment areas have been badly damaged, particularly Umzingwane and Inyankuni. Land degradation is severe, and some tributaries have effectively been blocked by mining activities. The deployment of soldiers may be the right decision under the circumstances,” said Clr Ndlovu.
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Last week, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe said Government was moving towards decisive action, with an inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for today to map out strategies to curb illegal mining in the affected catchment areas.
The meeting will involve the Ministries of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mines and Mining Development, Environment and Climate Change, and Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.
Minister Garwe made the remarks while addressing the media after a closed-door meeting attended by representatives from Bulawayo City Council, Insiza and Umzingwane Rural District Councils, traditional leaders, security services and various Government departments.
He said the planned intervention would prioritise halting illegal mining operations, enforcing environmental regulations and protecting critical water sources.
Traditional leaders also expressed concern over the destruction of culturally significant sites caused by mining activities.
“The traditional leaders raised very disturbing issues regarding the destruction of sacred places. These activities are now decimating streams and rivers, with cyanide deposits finding their way into water bodies and eventually into dams. This poses a serious threat to humans, livestock and wildlife,” said Minister Garwe.
Government has also called for the strict enforcement of Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, which prohibits riverbed mining.
“We want to fully enforce Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024. Law enforcement agencies must act with urgency to bring these illegal activities to an end,” said Minister Garwe.
