Online Reporter
Milton Mashasha in Matabeleland South
VILLAGERS in Gwanda say they are being slowly suffocated by thick clouds of dust raised by heavy trucks transporting lithium ore from Gwanda Lithium Mine.
People from Tshongwe, Velah, Ntengwele, Tapela, Mandihongola, Ntepe and surrounding villages told B-Metro that life has become unbearable, with dust invading homes, contaminating food and water, affecting livestock and leaving many fearing for their health.
Ward 11 Councillor Wilson Sebata said the community had engaged the Environmental Management Agency (EMA),
Government departments and the mine in a bid to find a solution.
“The lives of people, children and livestock are at risk. Dust enters our homes and people are struggling to breathe. We urgently need help,” he said.
Village heads painted a grim picture of daily life.
Headman Peter Mafukatha Sibanda said cooking had become difficult because water and food quickly became coated with dust.
“We are appealing to Government to intervene and direct the mine to tar the road because we are suffering,” he said.
Village head Allen Madonko said repeated letters to the mine had produced no meaningful change.
“Our livestock are dying after eating grass covered in dust. We have exhausted every avenue,” he said.
Lovemore Sibanda claimed as many as 150 mine trucks use the road on some days.
“This dust is killing us. Schoolchildren breathe it every day and our livestock feed on dust-covered grass. We need this road tarred,” he said.
Residents said they now keep windows shut, struggle to dry laundry and even wear old Covid-19 face masks to protect themselves from the choking dust.
The Environmental Management Agency confirmed it had intervened and warned that the mine could face drastic action if it failed to address the pollution.
Matabeleland South EMA provincial manager Decent Ndlovu said air pollution had become a major concern affecting communities from Tshongwe and Velah to Ntepe and Dwala.
“We have issued orders for the company to implement effective dust suppression measures because nearby communities are seriously affected,” he said.
“If they can’t comply we can’t allow them to continue operating. The health of the people and the environment comes first. They must stop or comply.” The agency also said road infrastructure damaged by the heavy trucks must be addressed in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport.
Gwanda Lithium Mine public relations officer Nixon Kutsananga said the company was awaiting a meeting with residents, traditional leaders and local authorities later this week before commenting further.
