Back to Index

Top government officials fingered in wetland destruction
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
October 30, 2013

Political bigwigs and senior government officials were linked to the destruction of wetlands in the city of Harare. Speaking at a wetlands public meeting which was attended by the Mayor of Harare, City Councillors and Geologists held yesterday evening at Highlands Presbyterian Church, residents were in unison that massive corruption and ill advised political decisions was a major challenge in the protection of wetlands which are considered to be underground lakes and key in the purification of water.

The former City of Harare Environment Chairperson Councillor Mutizwa told the gathering that the Harare City Council tried to stop developments on wetlands in the previous years, however, a directive from the Minister of Local Government and Urban Development superseded after the developments of Borrowdale Mall and Chinese Shopping Complex were considered and declared to be of “national interest”.

Despite the fact that the Environmental Management Act has clear provisions on the protection of wetlands and supersedes any law in the country except the Constitution.The involvement of Ministry of Local Government instead of the Ministry of Environment on developments on wetlands has raised eyebrows and suspicion among residents. Residents demanded access to the Environmental Impact Assessments of both the construction of Borrowdale Mall and the Chinese complex.

Wetlands recharge ground water and all rivers. The developments on the wetlands (Borrowdale Mall and Chinese Complex) will seriously impact on the water table and water bodies. Dr Chris Magadza, a renowned biologist highlighted that unsustainable urban agriculture practices in wetlands on the catchment of Lake Chivero has increased sediments in the lake thereby decreasing the water carrying capacity of the lake and in turn the lake is now spilling all year round.

CHRA Chairperson pointed out that the recent rampant developments on wetlands have a bearing on the ecosystem and is closely linked to the current Harare water crisis. He went on further to explain that both the local authority and government lacked seriousness on enforcing laws that protect the environment.

CHRA condemns any developments that threatens and compromise the lives of the present and future generations and welcome the idea of coming up with a coalition on the fight for the conservation of wetlands in Harare.

Visit the CHRA fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP